Washington (D.C.)--Rock Creek Park

President Roosevelt tells Kermit Roosevelt he has been out horse-riding, despite the cold weather. He details a recent ride with Dan Moore, whose horse ran away, and it took time to find him. The family is well overall. Although, his cousin Granville “Roly” Fortescue acquired “a most gorgeous pair of black eyes” after boxing with Roosevelt. The Senate continues to frustrate Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-02-05

Theodore Roosevelt writes to Anna Roosevelt Cowles about initiating Paul Morton and Victor Howard Metcalf, new members of his Cabinet, with a scramble in Rock Creek Park. Roosevelt and Edith are having a “really lovely time in Washington.” They breakfast on the portico and walk in the garden. In Oyster Bay, Edith also reads Shakespeare’s King John out loud with Ethel and Ted. Roosevelt does not know what will happen in the election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-30

President Roosevelt writes to his son, Theodore Roosevelt Jr., about his trip to Rock Creek Park, and his recent political and exercise activities.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-14

President Roosevelt invites Ambassador Sternburg to take a walk with him and Ambassador H. Mortimer Durand, but only if Mrs. Sternburg approves.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-13

President Roosevelt has been organizing the Panama Canal Commission and is pleased with the results. Next will be the “fight about General Wood.” Roosevelt has not been getting much exercise but walks in Rock Creek Park when he has time. The horses are all laid up.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-27

President Roosevelt would like to see Reverend Rainsford if he visits Washington, D.C. He suggests Rainsford bring some “rough clothes” so they can go on a Rock Creek walk.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-12

Erastus L. Hawks owns 110 acres near Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C. which he is looking to sell, and offers it to Theodore Roosevelt. He believes it could be turned into a park, which he proposes naming for Roosevelt, or sold off as sub-divisions. If Roosevelt is not interested, Hawks asks him to refer it to any interested friends he may have.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-30

Postcard showing a road running alongside a river and tree-lined area in Rock Creek Park in Washington D. C.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, One of the drive ways thru beautiful Rock Creek Park in the north-western section of the city.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Tweed Roosevelt acknowledges that there were five errors in his previous column on “One Hundred TR Firsts.” He lists five statements that were in error and two others that were challenged by readers, and he provides details about the five errors, including assertions about Theodore Roosevelt’s first inauguration, his marriages, and his daughter Alice’s White House wedding. Roosevelt also says that he received many suggestions for additions to his list. Five photographs accompany the essay.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

2009

Kathleen Dalton explores “a little known side of” Theodore Roosevelt: his love of telling stories. Dalton identifies ghost stories, animal and hunting stories, tales from his days as a cowboy, and stories involving the Rough Riders as some of Roosevelt’s favorite topics. She also says that he liked to talk about his own adventures, such as hiking in Rock Creek Park, or discussing his political friends and foes, and she says that Roosevelt’s favorite audience for his stories was his children. Dalton identifies a number of people who were subjects of Roosevelt’s tales or who, like Rudyard Kipling, were captivated by listening to his stories.

Two photographs of Roosevelt, and an illustration of him telling a camp fire story to children, supplement the article which also has two text boxes with information about the Theodore Roosevelt Association.

Excerpts from the diaries of First Lady Edith Kermit Roosevelt edited by A. Richard Boera. The excerpts are taken from eight different years and most of the entries are short. Some of the most common topics include the various health issues of the Roosevelt family, lists of guests for lunch and dinner at the White House, and the riding excursions of Edith and Theodore Roosevelt. Theodore Roosevelt’s assuming the presidency after President William McKinley’s assassination, the final days of Roosevelt’s presidency, and the tour of Europe after Roosevelt’s African safari in 1910 are also covered. 

A photograph of Edith Roosevelt in 1901, a drawing of her by John Singer Sargent in 1921, and a family portrait of Edith and Theodore Roosevelt with all of their children at Sagamore Hill in 1903 supplement the text. A listing of the officers of the Theodore Roosevelt Association along with the members of its executive committee appears on the second page of the excerpts.  

Photograph shows President Thedore Roosevelt and others hiking in Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1908-11-14

Photograph shows President Theodore Roosevelt and others hiking in a wooded area in Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1908-11-14

Assistant Secretary Roosevelt is looking forward to Robert Harry Munro Ferguson’s return. He hopes Ferguson will visit this winter. Roosevelt recounts his recent hiking endeavors with various companions.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1897-11-01

Commissioner Roosevelt has several dinner engagements for the weekend and asks if Robert Harry Munro Ferguson will join him for lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Roosevelt details plans for horseback riding and a walk up Rock Creek if Ferguson is willing.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1890-1900

Commissioner Roosevelt describes the Boone and Crockett Club dinner and Kermit Roosevelt’s antics. He has not been getting much exercise but takes the eldest children for walks on Sundays and goes horseback riding with Senator Lodge. Politics are at a “fever beat” and Roosevelt is enjoying it but wishes he could go on a wilderness expedition with Robert Harry Munro Ferguson.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1894-01-31

Theodore Roosevelt lists his recent dinner guests for sister Anna Roosevelt. He is going to take the children for their weekly “scramble” up Rock Creek. He has been working very hard in the office and on his books.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1895-04-07

Newly appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt writes his daughter Alice that he is homesick for his family and their new house will be very comfortable. He asks how she liked the Wild West show and says he arranged school for Ted and Kermit Roosevelt. He mentions the trees in Rock Creek Park are down.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897-05-06

Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt about current happenings with the family. Alice is away at school, and brother Elliott sent Roosevelt a Christmas gift. He and Edith continue to socialize quite a bit. He feels the Civil Service Commission is accomplishing something but his book is not really coming along. Roosevelt goes for scrambles in Rock Creek Park.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1893-12-31

Prince Heinrich recalls the horseback ride in Rock Creek Park with President Roosevelt the previous year.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-28