American Museum of Natural History

John A. Gable examines Theodore Roosevelt’s connections to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. He looks at its founding by Roosevelt’s father, notes the many specimens donated by Roosevelt, and highlights contributions made to the museum in various capacities by other members of the Roosevelt family. Gable details the design, construction, and contents of the museum’s Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall, including its murals and dioramas featuring scenes from Roosevelt’s life and work.

Photographs of the interior and exterior of the Memorial Hall as well as one of James Earle Fraser’s equestrian statue of Roosevelt outside of the museum accompany the article. A full page photograph of one of the dioramas, depicting a scene near Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch, is also found in the article.

A listing of the officers of the Theodore Roosevelt Association as well as the members of its executive, finance, and Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace committees is found on the second page of the article.

John A. Gable provides a comprehensive report on the work of the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) in 1979. He details the TRA’s support of Bulloch Hall in Georgia, Youngs Memorial Cemetery and the adjacent Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary in Oyster Bay, and the American Museum of Natural History. Gable also reports on the association’s support of student essay and speaking contests, additions to the Theodore Roosevelt Collection at Harvard University, and the Roosevelt Genealogical Project. He closes with an assertion that the United States is “in the midst of what can be called a ‘Roosevelt revival'” given the rise in membership of the TRA and the publication of a number of significant works on Roosevelt in 1979, most significantly Edmund Morris’s The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt.

A photograph of a bust of Theodore Roosevelt is found on the third page of the report.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

This article explains the history and work of the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) from its beginnings as the Roosevelt Memorial Association in 1919. It notes the association’s efforts to preserve sites important to the life of Theodore Roosevelt such as his birthplace and home. It discusses the TRA’s work with Harvard University, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary in Oyster Bay, New York. The article lists some of the TRA’s publications, notes its sponsorship of student contests, and discusses the governance and leadership of the association.

An advertisement for the Roosevelt Savings Bank of Garden City, New York, listing its various branch offices, follows the article.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

This notice covers the research grants awarded by The American Museum of Natural History in New York City from its Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund for 1980. Forty-nine grants and one fellowship were awarded, with the largest grants being given to three researchers highlighted in the article. The article lists the members of the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Committee which administers the fund, and it traces the growth of the program in numbers of applicants, awards granted, and value of the fund. Theodore Roosevelt had a life-long interest in natural history and the Theodore Roosevelt Association has worked to continue this through its support of the research grant program. The article notes that the American Museum of Natural History contains the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall which is the official New York State memorial to Roosevelt.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1980

David McCullough looks at the relationship between Theodore Roosevelt and his father, Theodore Roosevelt, Sr. He notes the elder Roosevelt’s important role in establishing the American Museum of Natural History, and he outlines differences between the two, notably the elder’s robust health and the many childhood ailments of the younger Roosevelt. McCullough examines the younger Roosevelt’s time at Harvard, especially his interest in natural science, and he establishes that he led a life of privilege unknown to most Americans.

Two pictures, one of each Roosevelt, accompany the article.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

This article explains the history and work of the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) from its beginnings as the Roosevelt Memorial Association in 1919. It notes the association’s efforts to preserve sites important to the life of Theodore Roosevelt such as his birthplace and home. It discusses the TRA’s work with Harvard University, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary in Oyster Bay, New York. The article lists some of the TRA’s publications, notes its sponsorship of student contests, and discusses the governance and leadership of the association.

An advertisement for the Roosevelt Savings Bank of Garden City, New York, listing its various branch offices, follows the article.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

This article explains the history and work of the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) from its beginnings as the Roosevelt Memorial Association in 1919. It notes the association’s efforts to preserve sites important to the life of Theodore Roosevelt such as his birthplace and home. It discusses the TRA’s work with Harvard University, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary in Oyster Bay, New York. The article lists some of the TRA’s publications, notes its sponsorship of student contests, and discusses the governance and leadership of the association.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1980

John A. Gable provides a comprehensive report on the work of the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) in 1980. He details the TRA’s work to rebuild a bandstand in Oyster Bay, New York, and notes the association’s financial support of Youngs Memorial Cemetery, the adjacent Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary in Oyster Bay, and the American Museum of Natural History. Gable also reports on the association’s support of student essay and speaking contests, additions to the Theodore Roosevelt Collection at Harvard University, and the Roosevelt Genealogical Project. He notes the growth in membership and dues for the TRA, and he details the assistance the TRA has given to numerous scholars and writers and lists the publications that have emerged from their work. Gable closes by citing examples of the TRA’s support of the various historical sites associated with the life of Theodore Roosevelt.

A photograph of some of the leaders of the Theodore Roosevelt Association along with officials from the Town of Oyster Bay, New York is found on the third page of the report.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

This article explains the history and work of the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) from its beginnings as the Roosevelt Memorial Association in 1919. It notes the association’s efforts to preserve sites important to the life of Theodore Roosevelt such as his birthplace and home. It discusses the TRA’s work with Harvard University, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary in Oyster Bay, New York. The article lists some of the TRA’s publications, notes its sponsorship of student contests, and discusses the governance and leadership of the association.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1981

Wallace Finley Dailey, Curator of the Theodore Roosevelt Collection at Harvard University, describes in detail two exhibits of Theodore Roosevelt material on display in the Theodore Roosevelt Gallery in the Nathan Marsh Pusey Library in 1977. One exhibit covers Roosevelt’s long relationship with Harvard University from his undergraduate student years to his death. The other explores Roosevelt’s relationship with his daughter Ethel Roosevelt Derby. In both exhibit summaries, Dailey quotes extensively from Roosevelt’s letters and speeches and provides descriptions of the photographs used in the exhibits. 

Three photographs and one illustration accompany the article. One photograph shows Dailey examining the exhibit display cases. Another shows Roosevelt with a group of his Harvard classmates, and one shows Derby at the White House in 1902. The illustration is a drawing by Roosevelt’s classmate, Charles G. Washburn, that depicts a monument detailing Roosevelt’s many activities at Harvard. 

History of the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) that highlights the role the TRA played in preserving Theodore Roosevelt’s homes in New York City and Oyster Bay, New York, along with Theodore Roosevelt Island in Washington, D.C. The TRA later transferred all of these historic sites to the National Park Service. The article covers the TRA’s work with Harvard University and the Library of Congress in collecting and preserving  papers, books, and film on Roosevelt, and it covers the Association’s support of natural history grants awarded by the American Museum of Natural History. Many of the books either published or supported by the TRA are listed. The past Presidents and Directors of the TRA are listed, and aspects of the TRA’s governance and finance are noted.  

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1978

Executive Director John A. Gable gives a comprehensive report on the work of the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) during 1978. He notes an increase in both membership and contributions, and details the day-to-day work of answering phone and letter inquiries about Theodore Roosevelt. In addition to covering aspects of established programs like the student essay and speaking contests and support of research grants made by the American Museum of Natural History, he details the programs surrounding the twenty-fifth anniversary of Sagamore Hill as a public house museum, the TRA’s support of Bulloch Hall, the home of Roosevelt’s mother, Martha Bulloch Roosevelt, in Roswell, Georgia, and the Roosevelt Genealogical Project.

Two photographs and one illustration are included as part of this article. One photograph shows John A. Gable, Executive Director of the Theodore Roosevelt Association, presenting a check to Emmett Rushin of the Roswell (Georgia) Historic Preservation Committee; the other is of Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) President Howard T. Hogan. The illustration is of the front cover of the TRA’s book, Sagamore Hill: An Historical Guide.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Alan R. Havig explores the ways in which Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) used the memory and legacy of Theodore Roosevelt (TR) to advance his own political career and causes. In doing so, he actually helped burnish the reputation of Theodore Roosevelt as a Progressive reformer. He looks closely at the 1920 campaign when FDR, the Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate, attacked the Republican nominee, Warren G. Harding, for denouncing TR and the Progressives in 1912. Havig examines how FDR attacked the Republicans for abandoning TR’s Progressive legacy and how FDR’s adoption of TR’s mantle led to a long feud between the two wings of the Roosevelt family. He also looks at how FDR supported the construction of the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. 

Havig also looks at how FDR used TR in 1936 to argue that the latter’s Square Deal had been a predecessor to his New Deal program. FDR, on the occasion of the dedication of the Roosevelt Memorial Hall in January 1936, quoted extensively from TR to demonstrate that he would have supported FDR’s extensive use of government to address the problems faced by the nation in the 1930s.

This notice covers the research grants awarded by The American Museum of Natural History in New York City from its Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund for 1979. Forty-four grants were awarded, with the largest grants being given to three researchers highlighted in the article. The article lists the members of the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Committee which administers the fund, and it traces the growth of the program in numbers of applicants, awards granted, and value of the fund. Theodore Roosevelt had a life-long interest in natural history and the Theodore Roosevelt Association has worked to continue this through its support of the research grant program. The article notes that the American Museum of Natural History contains the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall which is the official New York State memorial to Roosevelt.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1979

History of the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) that highlights the role the TRA played in preserving Theodore Roosevelt’s homes in New York City and Oyster Bay, New York along with Theodore Roosevelt Island in Washington, D.C. The TRA later transferred all of these historic sites to the National Park Service. The article covers the TRA’s work with Harvard University and the Library of Congress in collecting and preserving  papers, books, and film on Roosevelt, and it covers the Association’s support of natural history grants awarded by the American Museum of Natural History. Many of the books either published or supported by the TRA are listed. The past Presidents and Directors of the TRA are listed, and aspects of the TRA’s governance and finance are noted.  

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1979

History of the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) that highlights the role the TRA played in preserving Theodore Roosevelt’s homes in New York City and Oyster Bay, New York along with Theodore Roosevelt Island in Washington, D.C. The TRA later transferred all of these historic sites to the National Park Service. The article covers the TRA’s work with Harvard University and the Library of Congress in collecting and preserving  papers, books, and film on Roosevelt, and it notes the Association’s support of natural history grants awarded by the American Museum of Natural History and its sponsorship of essay and speaking contests. Many of the books either published or supported by the TRA are listed. The past Presidents and Directors of the TRA are listed, and aspects of the TRA’s governance and finance are noted.  

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1979

Obituary for Ethel Roosevelt Derby, Theodore Roosevelt’s eldest daughter, written by John A. Gable. Gable quotes from various newspapers reporting her death, describes the funeral service, and lists the all male pallbearers. In addition to naming her siblings and her own children, he describes Ethel’s service in World War I as a nurse and her long years of service to the American Red Cross. Gable details her work with the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and her role in preserving Sagamore Hill National Historic Site.

Three photographs accompany the obituary: one shows Ethel Roosevelt as a child at the White House in 1902; another shows her with First Lady Rosalyn Carter at the White House in 1977 and the third shows the entire Theodore Roosevelt family (along with Congressman Nicholas Longworth) at the White House in an undated photo.  

Citation for the Theodore Roosevelt Distinguished Service Medal awarded to Ethel Roosevelt Derby, eldest daughter of Theodore Roosevelt, in October 1977 by P. James Roosevelt. The citation recognizes her service as a nurse in World War I, her role as a trustee of the American Museum of Natural History, and her work on behalf of various causes in Oyster Bay, New York. The citation strives to give a sense of Mrs. Derby’s personality and how she employed it in service of preserving the memory of her father, President Roosevelt.

A picture of Ethel Roosevelt as a child with her father and another showing her receiving her Distinguished Service Medal accompany the citation.

John A. Gable reports on the work and achievements of the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) for 1977. He notes a rise in membership and dues during the past year and discusses the many requests for help that the TRA office received from those pursuing work on Theodore Roosevelt. The report provides brief summaries of the work of the TRA that is covered in more detail in separate articles in this and past issues, such as the renovation and restoration of the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site and the visit to the White House by a delegation from the TRA.

The report also covers the annual student contests sponsored by the TRA, the research grants awarded by the American Museum of Natural History, the Association’s support of Youngs Memorial Cemetery and the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary for birds in Oyster Bay, and publications, such as the Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal, produced by the TRA.

In “The Sighting at Pine Knot, Virginia,” Alton A. Lindsay explores the question of whether Theodore Roosevelt was the last person to report a credible sighting of the extinct passenger pigeon near his presidential retreat, Pine Knot in Virginia, in 1907. Lindsay provides a history of Pine Knot and also looks at the making of Roosevelt as a naturalist going back to his childhood.  He notes some of the defining experiences in Roosevelt’s life that made him a naturalist and conservationist, such as his time in the Dakota Badlands. Like other scholars he pushes back against the idea that Roosevelt was merely a man of action and asserts that he “was a man of intellect.”

He details Roosevelt’s sighting of a small flock of passenger pigeons in May 1907, and argues that Roosevelt’s history and experience as a naturalist and ornithologist lend credibility to his claims to have seen the birds.