Presidents--Social life and customs

President Roosevelt thanks Kermit Roosevelt for the letter and asks if the monthly funds will be enough. Roosevelt is lining details up for Africa. He is is pleased that Kermit will focus on his studies, and he doubts that Ted Roosevelt had visited Harvard without getting in touch. William H. Taft is likely to win but Roosevelt is alarmed at William Jennings Bryan’s strength. It is now fall, and recent visitors have included Susan Dexter Dalton Cooley, James C. Cooley, and Alice Roosevelt Longworth.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-02

President Roosevelt informs Kermit Roosevelt that Edward North Buxton has sent the boots, and reminds Kermit that he absolutely must get back to Harvard by September 30. In Oyster Bay, Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt went for their last row and had the townspeople over for a nice afternoon. The Winchester rifles arrived with improper sights, and Roosevelt has responded with a harsh letter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-19

President Roosevelt writes to Archie Roosevelt that the New York plan is set with Dr. Oscar Carrabine. He tells Archie that winter in Washington, D.C., will be strange with no children around, but that it is good to have Ted Roosevelt there. During tennis a ball hit Roosevelt’s eye, making him stagger, but he continued the game. In a postscript Roosevelt says the dentist will instead come to Groton.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-17

President Roosevelt informs Lillian Capron that he cannot attend the fund raising event and that he always declines these requests.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-19

In the first cartoon, a crowd of people head toward the White House; among them are groups under “Army” and “Navy” banners. Those exiting say, “Wow! What a grip!” “I’ll have to see a doctor about this hand,” and “Feels like something’s broken.” Caption: Exterior view. The second cartoon shows President Roosevelt shaking a number of hands saying, “Glad you came hustle up!” “Charmed to see you step lively!” “Deelighted! Keep moving!” “Loeb! Tell Santelmann to play Garry Owen again and whoop ‘er up.” William Loeb replies, “Aye aye sir!” Another man sees visitors out, “Keep moving.” Caption: Interior view.

comments and context

Comments and Context

This cartoon, from early in the career of Ole May, humorously but with only scant hyperbole depicts White House public receptions during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. It was published the day after the traditional New Year’s reception (then still open to the general public), and 1908’s was no exception — during Roosevelt’s presidency there were common reports of record numbers of callers, and testimonies of bruised hands and rushed greetings.

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about securing the Republican presidential nomination for Secretary of War Taft. Roosevelt adds that men hostile to him are trying to nominate New York Governor Hughes. He closes by saying it is the height of the social season, which is preventing him from exercising.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-01-27

President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say his travel plans to Harvard and Groton have leaked out, and mentions an article he read. Roosevelt also describes going for horseback rides through the snow, as well as a gift some sailors from the Louisiana gave to Mother. He adds that San Francisco mayor Eugene Schmitz and the school board have arrived to discuss letting Japanese children into their schools. Kermit appears to have taken notes on the back of the envelope.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1907-02-09

President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about recent guests at the White House and taking walks. Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt needed a break and took Ethel Roosevelt away for forty-eight hours on the Sylph. He says his hands are full with California trying to keep Japanese out of their schools. Congress is refusing to provide fortifications for the Philippines and Hawaii or allow Roosevelt to build up the navy. Kermit has taken notes on the envelope.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1907-02-04

President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say he misses him but hopes he and Edith can visit Kermit soon. Roosevelt says there are many social events during the evening and he is busy with public matters during the day, but he does manage to get out for rides. Margaret is visiting.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1907-01-12

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say that Nick and Alice Roosevelt Longworth are visiting and describe his walks with Edith. He says he is appointing John McIlhenny as Civil Service Commissioner and John Greenway will take the Commissionership of the Land Office. Roosevelt adds in a post script that he just learned he is to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-12-01

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about Archie playing with Skip the dog and spending time with Edith. William H. Taft and Robert Bacon have returned from a successful trip to Cuba, and Roosevelt and Edith will be going to Panama. Roosevelt closes with his opinion of whether or not Ted will get into Harvard’s Dickie Club.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-10-23

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to ask if he knows what happened to the box of Roosevelt’s guns. He also says he has been spending a lot of time with Edith and thanks Kermit for suggesting he write to Arthur William Merrifield.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-10-09

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to report on his activities with Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt and other family members. He also mentions that Quentin wants to go to the Fay School, a boarding school, in the fall, which upsets Edith.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-09-23

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit, who is visiting Medora, North Dakota. Roosevelt asks after people he knows there, then updates Kermit on the family activities that summer at Oyster Bay.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-08-18

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say he will see him in February for Alice Roosevelt’s wedding. Roosevelt says January and February are the hardest months because of all the social obligations and no time for exercise. He has ridden with Edith and sometimes Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Secretary of State Elihu Root, and Secretary of War William H. Taft. Roosevelt ends by saying Keating, who he put in the Secret Service, went on one of his “sprees” and died of heart failure.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-01-08

Cartoon depicts President Roosevelt in various scenes with a diverse group of friends from Rough Riders to professors. Meant as a comment on Roosevelt’s breadth of knowledge, skills and interests.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-07-25

Theodore Roosevelt greets guests in “Wildwood Gulch” at a reception in his honor. Roosevelt crosses his arms behind his back, and a “hand shaker” device stands in front of him (“patent applied for”), offering a fake arm with which the people may shake hands. Caption: It is announced that the President will omit handshaking during his western tour.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-07-01

President Roosevelt must turn down Clara Hay’s invitation for January 9 as President Jordan will likely be staying at the White House.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-27

At the request of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary advises Thomas Barry that the first international polo match will be on May 31, 1911, and that Thomas Hitchcock expects him for lunch.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Thomas Henry Barry confirming his attendance at a luncheon with Thomas Hitchcock and a polo game thereafter. Roosevelt requests Barry attend as well.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-23