Playgrounds

The Child and the Community

Judge Lindsey contemplates the duty of the community in raising children. It is important for communities to provide places where children can play and grow, because without areas where this is permitted they will still act and play as children, but may do so where it is not permitted and thus risk wrongly running afoul of the law. Communities play almost as important a role as parents in the raising of children.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909

Mr. Roosevelt’s policies

The London Times relays reports from its correspondent in America regarding various issues and events in the United States. In particular, the correspondent provides updates on political policies and legislation, as well as events that have happened in Washington, D.C., and between the United States and countries abroad, such as Venezuela and Haiti.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-30

President’s address

President William L. Pieplow updates the Milwaukee Board of School Directors on the state of the public schools, states notable events that have happened in the past year, and outlines future actions to be taken.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-06-30

Speech at dedicatory exercises of new high school building, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Theodore Roosevelt praises the development of the education system. He states that the stability of institutions depends on the development of its citizens. Roosevelt specifically mentions the development of healthy bodies and the importance of playgrounds.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-22

Public schools athletic league of the city of New York

A list of patrons and members of the Public Schools Athletic League.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George F. Booth

Theodore Roosevelt declines George F. Booth’s invitation to be a guest at the Playground Commission of Worcester, and explains that he is no longer able to accept such invitations, not even if they come from friends, due to the sheer amount of requests that he receives.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles G. Washburn

Theodore Roosevelt regrets to inform Charles G. Washburn that he is unable to accept George F. Booth’s invitation because of the precedent it would set for other invitations. Roosevelt hopes that Washburn will pass along this message in addition to Roosevelt’s support of the playground movement. As a side note, Roosevelt invites Washburn and his wife to dinner if they ever happen to find themselves in New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Mabel E. Macomber

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Mabel Macomber’s “progressive points” and her general thesis regarding “directed play” and “real play.” Roosevelt believes “playgrounds should not be used for political position hunters” and that directors and assistants be “wholly removed from politics.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Olive Margaret McGranor Wilson

Theodore Roosevelt expresses his appreciation for an invitation to speak from Olive Margaret McGranor Wilson of the Public Playground Association, but respectfully declines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-20

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to the boys and girls of Washington

President Roosevelt sends a message about physical fitness, determination, and good sportsmanship to the children of Washington, D.C., in promotion of the public playgrounds made possible by Dr. Henry S. Curtis.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Richard Watson Gilder

President Roosevelt is sorry that he cannot be present at the dinner of the Playground Association of America, but is glad that the association has Mrs. Humphry Ward as the guest of honor. Roosevelt tells Richard Watson Gilder that he feels that Americans owe Ward much, as she has played a large role in the world movement for social betterment. He sends his best wishes for the future progress of the Playground Association.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-20

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cuno Hugo Rudolph

President Roosevelt sends his thoughts on the present movement towards building playgrounds in American cities to the Washington Playground Association through Cuno Hugo Rudolph. Roosevelt believes that play is important to the physical welfare of children, especially after most have been barred from employment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-16

Letter from William Loeb to Benjamin W. Murch

William Loeb tells Principal Benjamin W. Murch that President Roosevelt is glad to have his son, Quentin Roosevelt, contribute to the playground fund of the Force School, and encloses a check for $5.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-19

Letter from Mabel E. Macomber to Theodore Roosevelt

Mabel E. Macomber, president of the City Playground League of New York, received Theodore Roosevelt’s interesting and helpful opinion on the playground creed. She found Roosevelt’s Carnegie Hall speech inspiring. Tremendous faith in the triumph of truth is necessary to keep going in reform work. Macomber discusses how she finds the playground question especially discouraging.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-04

Letter from Margaret Brownson Linton to Theodore Roosevelt

Margaret Brownson Linton invites Theodore Roosevelt to address the people of Washington, Pennsylvania for the benefit of the children’s playgrounds. Linton explains the population of the town is about twenty-five thousand and can be reached by railroad or trolley.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-03

Letter from Charles G. Washburn to Theodore Roosevelt

Charles G. Washburn sends Theodore Roosevelt an invitation from George F. Booth of the Playground Commission and hopes he can accept. He congratulates Roosevelt on becoming a grandfather.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-23

Letter from Thomas C. Carrigan to Theodore Roosevelt

Thomas C. Carrigan sends Theodore Roosevelt an article on the Playground Movement. He shares his experience visiting playgrounds with John J. McCoy, the movement’s creator. The Playground Commission will invite Roosevelt to upcoming games.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-17

Playground Creed

The City Playground League of New York lists the various elements of its creed, stating its belief in the importance of playgrounds and playing in the development of children. It advocates for playground supervisors being given respect and compensation as professionals, and says that the City of New York can afford and should provide such supervision for playgrounds.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-07

Letter from Olive Margaret McGranor Wilson to Theodore Roosevelt

Olive Margaret McGranor Wilson asks Theodore Roosevelt to help raise funds by giving a lecture for a playground in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-15

Letter from Jacob A. Riis to Theodore Roosevelt

Jacob A. Riis sends President Roosevelt an article about playgrounds in Washington. He also writes that a priest has been after him, and that he intends to take the matter to the archbishop. He then updates Roosevelt on his travel plans; he intends on “taking the heart care” in Neuheim, Germany, before going on to Denmark.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-20