Michtom, Morris, 1869-1938

Stephen E. Ambrose and Douglas Brinkley tell the story of the most famous bear hunt in American history: Theodore Roosevelt’s unsuccessful hunt for black bear in Mississippi that gave birth to the teddy bear toy. Ambrose and Brinkley provide political context for the trip to Mississippi, list the members of the hunting party, and describe the hunt of November 15, 1902. The article also describes Clifford Berryman’s cartoon depiction of the hunt which led to the creation of the teddy bear. 

A photograph of Brinkley and his wife, and three photographs of members of the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) distributing teddy bears at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City, accompany the article. A text box with the vision statement of the TRA appears at the end of the article. 

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

This brief article relays the history behind the Teddy bear phenomenon which began in 1902 in President Theodore Roosevelt’s administration. The article recounts the story of Roosevelt’s failed bear hunt in Mississippi and the subsequent invention of the Teddy bear by Morris Michtom. It discusses the Clifford Kennedy Berryman cartoon that inspired Michtom and quotes from a magazine celebrating the anniversary.  

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1979

Creator(s)

Unknown

Details of the reopening of the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site after a two year restoration. The article describes the ceremony, lists some of the more notable guests, and reprints parts of messages from President Jimmy Carter, Senator Jakob K. Javits, and Mayor Abraham Beame of New York City. The article gives a brief history of the house, details the funding of the restoration, and credits individuals who led the renovation.  

A photograph of the exterior of the home and two photographs of notable guests at the reception accompany the article.