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Theodore Roosevelt Island is located in the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. The island was purchased in 1931 by the Theodore Roosevelt Association with the intention of building a memorial for Roosevelt and given to the National Park Service for administration. The Island memorial was dedicated in 1967 and includes a seventeen-foot statue of Roosevelt.
Like many national historic sites, the memorial is supported by a non-profit volunteer organization which helps to advance the goals of the National Park Service for the site. Friends of Theodore Roosevelt Island has already helped to get the moats and fountains repaired, to re-open the restrooms, to combat invasive species on the island, and to develop more programming and activities for the public.
The materials from Theodore Roosevelt Island were digitized by National Park staff for their own research services before the formation of the Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. The materials, later generously donated to the digital library, were cataloged by our staff. The items in this collection document the history of the Island as well as the development and maintenance of the Roosevelt memorial. See below to view items from this collection in the digital library.
Georgetown waterfront as seen from Mason’s Island, later Theodore Roosevelt Island. Numerous sailing vessels are anchored on the waterfront.
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial
1865
Smith, William Morris
View depicting the industrial character of the Georgetown waterfront. Factory buildings and numerous smokestacks are visible lining the river.
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial
1930
Fragmented history of Analostan Island, later called Theodore Roosevelt Island. Included is an account of the Analostan tribes settlement of the area around the Potomac River, a discussion of John Mason’s mansion and social life and the effects of the causeway construction to attach the island to the Virginia shore. The history goes on to address more recent events in the life of the island in particular its being renamed for Theodore Roosevelt and its dedication as a memorial to the energetic President. The history concludes with a poem about the island and the hope that the island’s lush past will continue to be honored along with the its new role as a memorial.
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial
1930-05-22
Architect John Russell Pope’s proposed memorial for Theodore Roosevelt to be located in Washington, D.C.
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial
1925
Pope, John Russell, 1874-1937
Master plan of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., showing the proposed location for the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial designed by John Russell Pope. The location for the memorial is depicted where the Jefferson Memorial, also designed by Pope, stands today.
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial
1925
Pope, John Russell, 1874-1937
Report concerning the agreement reached between the National Commission of Fine Arts and the Roosevelt Memorial Association, later called the Theodore Roosevelt Association, regarding the location and appearance of the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial. The report also discusses the involvement of landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and architect John Russell Pope in the development of the memorial and lists the conclusions they have reached regarding the projects.
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial
1930
Announcement and invitation for the dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial on Theodore Roosevelt Island on October 27, 1967. Included is a brief account of Theodore Roosevelt’s efforts with regard to conservation, a declaration of the appropriateness of the island memorial and information regarding options for viewing the ceremony if unable to attend in person.
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial
1967-10-24
Hartzog, George B.
Report by the Theodore Roosevelt Centennial Commission concerning the committee’s actions in the eighteen months since it was formed. The report begins with a list of activities by the commission including an announcement informing the public of the centennial and calling for participation. Following this announcement is a list of pledges from numerous executive departments in Washington, D.C., individual cities and states, as well as colleges and universities, all promising to participate in the centennial through observances, ceremonies, or exhibits. Additionally, a pamphlet is being distributed to schools to help plan classroom exercises in relation to the centennial. Many organizations are planning to participate including churches, conservation groups, and businesses. A brief description of Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota is provided as well as plans for the island memorial in D.C. A catalog of publications listing Theodore Roosevelt biographies and original writings is included. Also given is a summary of the contributions to be made by the Theodore Roosevelt Association. Appendices are attached to the report. The first (A) is a copy of the call to action for participation in the centennial. The second (B) is a pamphlet for the youth of America describing Theodore Roosevelt’s life and contributions and requesting that students participate not only in the centennial, but in the political process. Provided is a list of actions for this task.
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial
1957
The National Park Service’s master plan for Theodore Roosevelt Island. The plans begins with an introduction outlining the history of the island and asserting its effectiveness as a memorial to Theodore Roosevelt. The plan continues with a purpose statement and a list of objectives which fall into three categories; recreation, interpretation and resource management. A breakdown of the regional characteristics of the surrounding area follows including a discussion of the Potomac River and park visitation. Next is a resource description and evaluation which serves to illustrate the importance of the natural features of the island for the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial. The park’s resources are broken down into categories including geology, vegetation, animal life, water resources and history and archeology. Management issues for each of these resources are discussed within each category. A discussion of the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial contains a description of the memorial itself as well as recreational and interpretive guidelines to accommodate the island’s new national importance. Other management constrictions addressed include legal factors, preservation, soil erosion, vandalism, access and employment. A chart detailing the priority of needs, several maps and a general development plan conclude the masterplan.
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial
1967-07-25
Memorandum from the Superintendent of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Floyd B. Taylor, to the regional director, presumably George B. Hartzog, concerning the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial and other items. Several topics are discussed including the two causeways connecting Theodore Roosevelt Island to the Virginia shore, the dismissal of a proposed landscaping plan, the decision to only remove dead trees where public safety is concerned, the reason for a delay in the completion of foot trails, the status of the ferryboat and boat dock and the vandalism which occurs on the island due to the access provided during non-visitor hours, the safety of the moat footbridges and the recommendations by the designing architect and the availability of funds.
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial
1968-12-05
Taylor, Floyd B.
Transcript of an interpretive talk given by historian Ellis W. Bell of the National Park Service on Theodore Roosevelt Island outlining Theodore Roosevelt’s life and contributions to the American political and natural landscape. Bell describes the childhood illness Roosevelt overcame as well as his early love of the outdoors. He goes on to discuss Roosevelt’s early political career and his time in North Dakota. Bell describes Roosevelt’s presidency focusing on his groundbreaking reforms to the railroad, coal and steel producers. Bell also focuses on Roosevelt’s foreign policy initiatives including military preparedness and restrained power. Bell goes on to detail Roosevelt’s conservation policies, in particular the creation of the Forest Service, the Reclamation Act, the Antiquities Act and his general push for resource management.
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial
1968-06-18
Bell, Ellis W.
Transcript of a speech given by Edward P. Cliff, the former chief of the Forest Service, at Theodore Roosevelt’s 125th birthday celebration on Theodore Roosevelt Island. Cliff gives a brief history of how the forest service came into existence and praises Roosevelt’s dedication and many contributions to forestry and resource management.
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial
1983-06-18
Park ranger William B. Dunkle of the National Park Service speaks with a park visitor in front of the statue of Theodore Roosevelt on Theodore Roosevelt Island.
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial
1968
Ranger William B. Dunkle stands with ranger and historian Ellis W. Bell and another ranger in near the Theodore Roosevelt statue on Theodore Roosevelt Island.
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial
1968
Ranger William B. Dunkle of the National Park Service shows a brochure to Jimmy Obert of Arlington, VA at the entrance to Theodore Roosevelt Island.
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial
1968
Transcript of a speech given on Theodore Roosevelt Island concerning Theodore Roosevelt’s influence on both technology and conservation policy. The speaker points out Roosevelt’s faith in technology given his execution of both Panama Canal and the White Fleet. The speaker goes on to balance the resulting existence of steam shovels and bull dozers with Roosevelt’s policy of ‘cut-a-tree, plant-a-tree’. The speaker concludes by talking more in-depth about Roosevelt’s groundbreaking legislation regarding resource management.
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial
1988
Harman, Mike
President Lyndon B. Johnson stands with Alice Roosevelt Longworth on stage at the dedication ceremony for the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial. Secretary of the Interior Stewart L. Udall stands behind them.
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial
1967-10-27
J. M. R.
President Lyndon B. Johnson stands with Secretary of the Interior Stewart L. Udall and Alice Roosevelt Longworth, during the dedication ceremony for the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial on Theodore Roosevelt Island. In the foreground the band plays while the audience stands.
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial
1967-10-27
J. M. R.
Crowd gathers in front of Theodore Roosevelt statue at the dedication ceremony for the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial on Theodore Roosevelt Island.
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial
1967-10-27
W. H. S.