National Museum of Natural History (U.S.)

J. H. Patterson explains to President Roosevelt that while the rains might not be over by May 1, they should not be inconvenient for Roosevelt’s upcoming African safari, as there is always fine weather at some part of the day, and there would be no worry about finding water. Patterson believes Roosevelt should be able to gather all the specimens and personal trophies he previously described. He recommends that Roosevelt travel in comfort, start slow, and gradually build up the endurance the safari will require. Patterson thanks Roosevelt for the invitation to the White House and if he comes, will bring some slides to show.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-29

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Creation Date

Unknown

Creator(s)

B.S. Reynolds Co.

Language

English

Postcard showing a large, neoclassical building with a dome, the National Museum of Natural History, with trees in front of it.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, The National Museum is the largest ^in area^ of all other Gov. Bldgs except the capital, it is a granite building and is 561 ft long and 365 ft wide”

Charles D. Walcott updates Theodore Roosevelt on the progress of the specimens being preserved by James L. Clark from the Smithsonian-Roosevelt African Expedition. A number of white rhinoceroses and different types of antelopes are in the process of being quoted by the taxidermist. Walcott thinks the Smithsonian will be able to publish Roosevelt’s article soon as well. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-16

President Roosevelt asks Representative Parker to notify his father-in-law, W. W. Gordon, that Roosevelt would like the information from Francis Richard Charles Guy Greville, Earl of Warwick, about the location of good hunting grounds. He additionally asks Gordon to inform Greville that he is not a game butcher. Roosevelt intends to shoot each of the big game animals as specimens for the National Museum of Natural History.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-25

President Roosevelt welcomes Edgar Alexander Mearns as the naturalist and medical advisor on his African Safari with “three cheers!” Roosevelt authorizes Mearns to requisition medical supplies from the Army and have them stored pending shipping to Africa, and outlines details of his travel and outfitting plans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-03

In honor of President Roosevelt’s upcoming African safari, C. Bryson Taylor writes about the sights, conditions, hazards, and necessary supplies of a hunting trip in safari. Taylor details the guides, provisions, ammunition, and medicines travelers will need when embarking into the “dark and brooding heart” of Africa. Taylor also weaves in two fictional stories about previous hunting parties, which demonstrate the harshness of the expeditions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-09

Hermann Speck von Sternburg thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his thoughtful Christmas gift and discusses hunting for antelope in Northern China. He describes his life in China and notes that he hopes to visit Japan and Korea in the fall, before returning home via the United States to deal with his affairs there next year.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1893-06-01