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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.
The article on page one, “Senator Foraker’s Attack on President Came So Unexpectedly Chief Executive Could Not Retort Effectively,” covers the Brownsville incident.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1907-01-29
A round celluloid campaign pin with a dark blue background and tan picture of a moose head. At the top is printed “Progressive.”
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1912
Oval celluloid pinback with sepia tone photograph of Theodore Roosevelt in the center.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
Unknown
A round celluloid pinback with gold background and colorized photograph of Theodore Roosevelt in the center.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
Unknown
Small admission card to Theodore Roosevelt’s gubernatorial inauguration held at the New York State Capitol’s Assembly Chamber on January 2, 1899.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1899-01-02
Scrapbook containing an array of newspaper clippings of articles and photographs relating to the 1912 presidential campaign of Theodore Roosevelt.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1912
Photos of Theodore Roosevelt (dressed in safari garb), J. Alden Loring “Naturalist”, Col. E. A. Mearns “U.S.A., retired, Surgeon,” and R. J. Cunninghame “Guide and Manager.” On reverse side is a description of the upcoming Smithsonian African Expedition.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1909
Black and white cartoon drawing features Theodore Roosevelt and William H. Taft dressed as baseball players with Uncle Sam in the middle. Uncle Sam is pointing at Roosevelt with the title above, “Back Upl You’ve Batted Twice,” referring to Roosevelt’s 1912 presidential campaign. Postcard has been used and is postmarked Detroit, Michigan, on October 22, 1912, and Highgate, Ontario, on October 23, 1912. Message is illegible.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1912
Gold medal on red, white, and blue ribbon commemorating a reception held in honor of Theodore Roosevelt’s return to the United States following an African safari/European tour. The medal is embossed with the date “June 18th 1910” and an image of Theodore Roosevelt, and the reverse side reads “Roosevelt Reception June 18, 1910.”
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1910-06-18
Brown postcard featuring a caricature of Theodore Roosevelt declaring, “spel az yu pleez.” The message accompanying Roosevelt’s image is deliberately misspelled, referencing Theodore Roosevelt’s support for the spelling modifications proposed by the Simplified Spelling Board.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1906-12-07
This issue of Leslie’s Weekly contains “McKinley Funeral Number,” featuring numerous photographs of William McKinley’s funeral and Theodore Roosevelt’s inauguration.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1901-09-28
Unused black and white postcard titled “Phonetic Spelling” featuring a long list of spelling modifications proposed by the Simplified Spelling Board. In the upper left corner is a portrait of Theodore Roosevelt who endorsed the proposal.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1906
This souvenir postcard reads “Marriage of Miss Alice Roosevelt and Mr. Nicholas Longworth, White House, February 17, 1906” with sepia tone drawing of the ceremony in the East Room of the White House. The design is accented with glitter.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1906
President Roosevelt attends a cowboy breakfast at Hugo, Colorado, serving himself food from a kettle on the ground. He is surrounded by men in cowboy hats.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1903
President Roosevelt is in his Rough Rider uniform, having dressed up William H. Taft in a similar uniform, wearing a Roosevelt mask and holding “The Big Stick.” Caption: Theodore Roosevelt (to William H. Taft, his candidate for the Presidency). “There, sonny, I’ve fixed you up so they won’t know the difference between us.”
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1908-06-17
This Puck magazine front cover features a full color cartoon depicting President Roosevelt wearing royal robes and placing a crown on his head. The reverse side lists “Puck’s Ticket” with Theodore Roosevelt “For Emperor” and Charles W. Fairbanks “For Prince Imperial” along with several other references to Roosevelt’s campaign.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1904-08-24
This copy of Puck magazine features a full color cartoon which depicts Theodore Roosevelt seated in a chair “Presidency,” fists clenched and holding a scroll called “Civic Decency” between his teeth. In the background is an image of Roosevelt dancing on a tree stump labeled “1900.” The reverse side contains references to Roosevelt’s 1904 presidential campaign.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1904-08-31
This fold-out pamphlet entitled “Commemorating the ‘Ride to Glory'” details the events of September 13 and 14, 1901, and Theodore Roosevelt’s ride to the North Creek Railroad Station. Created by the Theodore Roosevelt Centennial Celebration Committee for the Towns of Newcomb and Minerva, New York, celebrating the centennial of Roosevelt’s birth in 1958.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1958
Print of a black ink portrait of Theodore Roosevelt.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
Unknown
Articles provide updates on various aspects of the shooting of President McKinley. Some of the articles throughout the newspaper include: updates on McKinley’s condition, details of the shooting, Vice-President Roosevelt’s status, comments from prominent politicians, and the investigation of men associated with the crime.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1901-09-07