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Theodore Roosevelt is glad James Earle Fraser’s bust of him will reside at the Oshkosh Public Library. While he generally disapproves of the portraiture of living men, he considers Fraser’s piece “a real work of art.” He is glad the library has a collection of stone and copper tools and feels scholars should study American antiquity as much as American history.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-10-19
John Francis Snyder inquires if, on his African safari, Theodore Roosevelt found any evidence of Stone Age tools or culture among indigenous Africans. Snyder wrote to Charles D. Walcott, secretary of the Smithsonian, asking if an archeologist could accompany Roosevelt’s expedition to search for evidence, but the request was ignored.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-11
Alfred C. Haddon reminds President Roosevelt of the talk they had at the White House two years earlier. Haddon informs Roosevelt that his son, Ernest B. Haddon, has been a member of the Uganda Civil Service for some years and would enjoy seeing Roosevelt when he passes through Gondokoro, Uganda. Though Haddon would like to see Roosevelt while he is in England, he does not think Roosevelt’s schedule will permit.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-22
Frances M. Wolcott informs President Roosevelt of the work done by the archaeologist Giacomo Boni in Rome and of lectures he has recently given in England. Boni is trying to raise money for a library at the Roman Forum. Wolcott wonders if a lecture tour in the United States would be worthwhile, and if so, how to go about arranging it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-29
D. G. Lyon reports to the committee appointed by the Harvard Board of Overseers on the happenings of the Semitic Museum and Division of Semitic Languages and History covering the years 1905 to 1910. He includes updates on professor transfers, available courses, new museum collections, and archaeological digs. Jacob H. Schiff provides a preface to the report.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-21
Regional Archaeologist Beaubien writes to Professor Taylor of Montana State University regarding the ongoing investigation of the Elkhorn Ranch site. Superintendent John W. Jay of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park has visited the site and is pleased with the progress. Jay also offered some suggestions for a future project to be led by Taylor. Beaubien describes some of his previous actions regarding the site, as well as his plans to take photographs of the site from the air.
1959
This document presents a position description for an archaeologist managing the excavation, interpretation, and reporting of the site of Theodore Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch. It includes a description of the duties demanded by the position, the scope and effect of the work, what sorts of supervision and guidance the position will receive, the mental demands that may be expected, and the personal work contacts that will be part of the position.
1959
Theodore Elmer White, geologist for the Midwest region of the National Park Service, responds to a request made by James B. Thompson, superintendent of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, for archaeological services. White believes that he is not qualified as he is a paleontologist by training rather than an archaeologist, and the historical objects found at the Elkhorn Ranch site are outside of his field of study. In a handwritten addendum, White writes that if Thompson insists, he will do what he can, but he still has doubts.
1970-02-12
Superintendent of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park, James B. Thompson, tells Regional Director Fred C. Fagergren that he agrees with Theodore E. White’s assessment that White is not the appropriate person to cull the Elkhorn Ranch archeological collection. The park does not have another staff member who is qualified, either. Thompson asks if a qualified historical archaeologist is available within the region, or if there is someone available from the East Coast.
1970-02-18
A catalog of 746 archaeological specimens discovered at the Elkhorn Ranch site. Each specimen is numbered, has a brief title or description, and a note describing the location where the item was found within the site.
1959
This draft of the Environmental Statement for the proposed Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park includes four parts: a summary and description of the proposal for Congress to designate 28,335 acres as wilderness, a description of the environment including geology and plant and animal life, an outline of environmental impact, and an outline of mitigating measures.
1972-09-10
Theodore Roosevelt introduces Langdon Warner, a first class archeologist and friend. Warner is seeking permits to explore and excavate near the headwaters of the Yenisei River and in Mongolia. Roosevelt vouches for Warner’s abilities and previous work. He requests that his letter be placed before the proper authorities.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-12