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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.
Invitation for Ansley Wilcox and Mary Grace Rumsey Wilcox to a White House reception. Includes invitation, envelope, admission card, and admission card envelope.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1907-01-17
Ansley Wilcox narrates the events that brought Theodore Roosevelt to the presidency. This copy of the pamphlet was used by Ansley Wilcox for a reading given in 1925 at the Buffalo Athletic Club. Pencil markings appear throughout.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1919
Folded business card for Irma Manor of Buffalo, New York. When folded, one side bears a photograph of a large, vine-covered building and the other side includes standard business information. The inside of the card contains information on rates and notes that the manor was the location of Theodore Roosevelt’s first cabinet meeting after succeeding to the presidency on September 14, 1901.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1930
Colored postcard featuring an image of Theodore Roosevelt’s room in the White House during his presidency. Mr. Keyes wishes John Welsh a happy New Year.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1911-12-31
Color postcard showing President Roosevelt seated at his desk in the Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1907
Postcard with small, sepia tone image of the Ansley Wilcox house, where President Roosevelt took the oath of office, and the Milburn residence, where William McKinley passed away. E. H. E. asks Louise White when her school let out.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1907-06-25
Color postcard with illustrations of General Wood and Theodore Roosevelt, each flanked by small battle scenes. On the reverse side is a short history of the First United States Volunteer Cavalry, the unit popularly known as the Rough Riders.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
Unknown
Circular, bronze medal featuring a raised profile of Theodore Roosevelt. The medal is awarded for distinguished service by the Roosevelt Memorial Association.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1920
Text of the speech delivered by President Roosevelt after accepting the Republican nomination for president in 1904.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1904-07-26
Reproduction of the Nobel Peace Prize medal awarded to Theodore Roosevelt in 1906.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1906
Envelope with first day cover of “A Salute to Theodore Roosevelt” and an illustration of Roosevelt’s home, Sagamore Hill. The envelope has an oval shaped illustration of Theodore Roosevelt in a Rough Rider uniform on the left and a 32-cent stamp depicting Theodore Roosevelt with his right arm extended.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1998-05-09
Envelope commemorating the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site on September 14, 1971. At left are a black and white photograph of Theodore Roosevelt and the Wilcox Mansion. “Dedication, Wilcox Mansion, Buffalo, New York” is printed above the photographs and printed below is “70th Anniversary Inauguration of Theodore Roosevelt, President, September 14, 1971.”
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1971-09-14
Postcard with color illustration of the front of Kathryn Lawrence’s Dining Rooms, which was formerly the home of Ansley Wilcox and the location where Theodore Roosevelt took the oath of office after the death of William McKinley.
Photographs and illustrations from the September 24, 1898, edition of Harper’s Weekly magazine. The front cover has a full page black and white photograph of Theodore Roosevelt standing in his Rough Rider uniform. There are three pages of black and white illustrations of the Rough Riders in Cuba and parading in the United States.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1898-09-24
Officer commission for Emil H. Eycke making him a chief boatswain with the rank of ensign.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1904-06-27
Advertising pamphlet for the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, featuring information about Theodore Roosevelt’s policy with the company. Includes statement of payments on the policy, a copy of the check issued to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt after Roosevelt’s death, and a Roosevelt quotation about the value of life insurance.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
Unknown
Postcard with sepia tone photograph of the Ansley Wilcox House, the location where President Roosevelt took the oath of office on September 14, 1901. The portico is draped with bunting and a large American flag hangs above the steps. Photographers and others are gathered in front of the house.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1906-05-15
Postcard with colored illustration of the Ansley Wilcox House, the location where President Roosevelt took the oath of office on September 14, 1901. The portico is draped with bunting and a large American flag hangs above the steps. Photographers and others are gathered in front of the house.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1901-1905
Color postcard of the Ansley Wilcox house, the location where President Roosevelt took the oath of office after William McKinley’s death.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1901-1905
Color postcard of the Ansley Wilcox house, the location where Theodore Roosevelt took the oath of office after William McKinley’s death, with oval portrait of Theodore Roosevelt in the top right corner.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1921