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On September 14, 1901, Theodore Roosevelt took the oath of office as the 26th president of the United States in Buffalo, New York, at the home of Ansley Wilcox. Roosevelt’s predecessor, William McKinley, had been shot by an assassin at the Pan-American Exposition on September 6, dying at 2:15 a.m. on September 14. Wilcox’s home is now the site of the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site.
Currently, a collection of Buffalo newspapers regarding the shooting of President McKinley from September 7 to 25, 1901, as well as the scrapbook kept by Ansley Wilcox following the assassination attempt to Roosevelt’s inauguration in his library are available from the Inaugural’s collections.
Items from the Inaugural site’s collections were digitized and cataloged on-site and then transferred to the Theodore Roosevelt Center for inclusion in the digital library. As TR Center staff received materials from the Inaugural, the items were added to the digital library. See below to view items from this collection.
Digitization of items at the National Park sites was possible thanks to National Park Service Centennial Challenge Funding in partnership with Dickinson State University.
Full color Christmas postcard with embossed design of Santa Claus at left, holding a long “List of Births.” At the top right is printed, “Gee whiz! if this keeps up/I’ll have to get an assistant./Roosevelt ought to/read this!” The postcard is in reference to Theodore Roosevelt’s philosophy encouraging large families.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1908
Brown and white toned fundraising postcard produced to raise money for the relief effort associated with the Messina, Italy, earthquake. In the center is printed “Official/Italian Earthquake Relief/Memorial Card” along with December 28, 1908, which is the date of the earthquake. Produced by the American Italian General Relief Committee with the signatures of the chairman, vice-chairman, and treasurer. The card is number 24196. Clockwise around the outside of the card are images: Messina Before the Shock, President Roosevelt, W. H. Taft President of the American Red Cross, Red Cross on Field, Messina After Earthquake, King Victor Appalled, Queen Helena, King Victor Emanuel II. The reverse side is an endorsement statement by Theodore Roosevelt and the phase “Every Hour’s Delay Mean 1,000 Lives” along with details of the sale of the cards: Five cents, for sale everywhere.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1908
Sepia-tone “White House Wedding” postcard with image of the White House in the center. Along the top are portraits of President Roosevelt on the left, and Alice Roosevelt and Nicholas Longworth on the right.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1906
Full color cartoon postcard featuring Theodore Roosevelt writing at a desk, producing sheets of paper “$1 A Word.” In front of him is a sign “Busy.” He is holding up a hand towards rolled up paper offers of Presidency of U.S., Mayoralty of N.Y., Governor of N.Y., Editor, Lecturer, Ambassador.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1910
Full color postcard of “Roosevelt President” and “Fairbanks Vice President” in front of the United States Capitol. “Washington, D.C./Mch 4, 1905” is handwritten along the right edge.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1905-03-04
Two piece brass commemorative medal that consists of an eagle and a bar with “Souvenir” embossed on it. Below hangs a second, larger piece with the image of Theodore Roosevelt embossed in the center, reading “Visit of President Roosevelt 1903.”
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1903
This sepia tone stereo-view shows Theodore Roosevelt standing in the White House Cabinet room. The reverse side bears the title translated into English, French, German, Spanish, Swedish, and Russian.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1902
A round celluloid campaign pin with a black and white portrait of Theodore Roosevelt on a light cream background with blue highlights.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1898
Party platform of the Progressive Party for 1912.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1912-08-07
Booklet Party Platforms in Deadly Parallel with the position of the Democratic, Republican, and Progressive parties on various issues. Formatted in parallel columns with information from the publications of the three parties. Creator Charles Henry Davis was a supporter of the Progressive Party.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1912
German language edition of the 1912 Progressive Party platform.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1912-08-07
This pamphlet advertises the 1912 candidacies of Theodore Roosevelt and Hiram Johnson, as well as the platform of the Progressive Party. Emphasizing Theodore Roosevelt’s past success and popularity as president, the pamphlet outlines some of the Progressive Party’s beliefs–particularly with regards to immigrants and immigration–and compares them to those of the Republican and Democratic parties. It also includes a substantial excerpt from Woodrow Wilson’s American People’s History as an example of Wilson’s views on race and immigration. The pamphlet closes by reminding everyone of their duty to vote, and urges them to vote for Roosevelt and Johnson.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1912
Campaign pamphlet detailing Governor Johnson’s credentials as a progressive politician.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1912
Text of the speech “Pass Prosperity Around” by Albert J. Beveridge, Temporary Chairman of the Progressive National Convention, which lays out progressive principles and goals.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1912
George W. Perkins argues that large corporations are necessary to a modern economy and should be regulated by strengthening the powers of the Department of Commerce and Labor.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1911-12-04
Campaign booklet addressing the Progressive Party’s views towards African Americans. The booklet has three sections: Theodore Roosevelt’s “Reply to a Query at the Progressive National Convention,” a letter Roosevelt wrote to Julian La Rose Harris, and a statement from the African American delegates to the National Progressive Convention.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1912
Text of Theodore Roosevelt’s speech on suffrage delivered at Saint Johnsbury, Vermont, on August 30, 1912, supporting equal suffrage for men and women.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1912-08-30
Reprint of an editorial that attempts to reconcile George W. Perkins’s reputation as a financier and big businessman with his support of the Progressive Party.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1912
William Randolph Hearst argues in favor of a “proper tariff for protection” and does not approve of Woodrow Wilson’s negative opinion on American businessmen.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1912
Booklet with short essays about the Progressive platform and music/lyrics for many songs associated with the Progressive movement.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1912