Friends of Sagamore Hill

Friends of Sagamore Hill We are a heritage-minded group dedicated to preserving and protecting Theodore Roosevelt's home in Oyster Bay on Long Island.

September 13, 1901, Vice President Roosevelt was nearly halfway through his two day hike of Mt. Marcy, the tallest peak ...
09/14/2026

September 13, 1901, Vice President Roosevelt was nearly halfway through his two day hike of Mt. Marcy, the tallest peak in New York, when suddenly he was greeted by a frantic rider on horseback. He was met with a sinking feeling in his stomach, when he saw the Tahawus Club Guide Harrison Hall, race up the trail towards him. He knew almost instantly what dreaded news was about to come.

President McKinley’s health had taken a turn for the worse and he was dying rapidly of gangrene from his bullet wounds. With the shocking news, Theodore Roosevelt quickly made his way back to the Tahawus Club, to rest for what was going to be a grueling trip. He had to travel the 35 mile distance to the North Creek Train Station by horseback and carriage. And from there he would go to Buffalo.

Despite horrid weather, including driving rain and wind, poorly conditioned muddy trails, and limited visibility, the Vice President grew restless. He set out shortly before midnight on his historic ride to the Presidency.

Photo: September 1901 Illustration from "Black and White" magazine of Vice President Roosevelt receiving that fateful message while on Mt. Marcy

Source(s):
Dickinson State University

Buffalo Presidential Center

On the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City, we pay tribute to the nearly...
09/11/2026

On the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City, we pay tribute to the nearly 3,000 lives lost on September 11, 2001. To those of American Airlines Flight’s 11 and 175, who hit the World Trade Center Towers. To those of American Airlines Flight 77, who crashed into the Pentagon. And to those of United Airlines Flight 93, who crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. To all of the incredibly brave first responders on the scenes, and to all of the men, women, and children that lost their lives. We remember those that stand for freedom, justice, and what is right 🇺🇸 🙏

It is hard to believe it has been 25 years since this happened. It almost seems like yesterday. What are some of the memories and emotions everyone has from that tragic day in 2001?

Photo: Heroic firefighters on the scene in NYC at the wreckage of the World Trade Center

Source(s): Reuters

#9/11 🇺🇸

The Friends of Sagamore Hill are very proud to announce our next event, a very special one on Monday, September 14, in c...
09/09/2026

The Friends of Sagamore Hill are very proud to announce our next event, a very special one on Monday, September 14, in collaboration with Suffolk County Parks Mary Bailey and Discover Long Island to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of Theodore Roosevelt's presidency. And as Suffolk County 250 Planning Committee's exciting new launch for 2027, as Friends of Sagamore Hill Discover Long Island and other historical organizations align to sponsor and promote a "Theodore Roosevelt Historic Tourism Trail" and a series of events celebrating the 26th President around Long Island from Sagamore Hill to Montauk's Camp Wikoff. More info in our story.

But Monday's event Suffolk County Parks Meadowcroft in Sayville, the beautiful 80 acre estate of TR's cousin John Ellis Roosevelt will feature a press conference with Suffolk County Legislature Ed Romaine and more elected officials, and also directors of multiple Theodore Roosevelt historic sites around the island, including Oyster Bay Historical Society and Sagamore Hill.

You will also get to meet some of TR's bird friends in an owl presentation, and also enjoy some home baked authentic treats from the Roosevelt era. And last but not least, a special appearance by the 26th President himself, in a fun re-enactment featuring period vintage cars from the early 20th century.

The special event has limited space and has 60 spaces available. To reserve your spot RSVP today by sending us a direct message. Hope to see you there!

September 7, 1901, the day after President McKinley was shot, Vice President Roosevelt arrived in Buffalo to visit him a...
09/08/2026

September 7, 1901, the day after President McKinley was shot, Vice President Roosevelt arrived in Buffalo to visit him at his bedside. He arrived hurriedly in the afternoon by train, and stayed at the home of his friend Ansley Wilcox.

Shortly afterwards, Roosevelt met with the Presidents’ Cabinet, various congressmen and senators, as well as the press. He wanted to reassure the nation that President McKinley was recovering and would be back in office soon. That was certainly the initial assessment.

Photo: Vintage steam train, in the modern day

Source(s): National Park Service Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Getty Images

September 6, 1901 is a day that will always live in infamy, and changed the course of history for Theodore Roosevelt and...
09/07/2026

September 6, 1901 is a day that will always live in infamy, and changed the course of history for Theodore Roosevelt and the country forever. While visiting the World's Fair, Buffalo Pan American Exposition, at the Temple of Music, President William McKinley was shot. An anarchist named Leon Czolgosz, snuck in a gun, wrapped in a handkerchief, and at 4:07 PM Eastern, shot the President twice in the abdomen at point blank range.

At the same time, Vice President Theodore Roosevelt was on Isle La Motte in Vermont, partaking in festivities at a Vermont Game and Fishing League Event. TR was the keynote speaker at the event, and had been staying at the residence of Lieutenant Governor Nelson Fisk. At 5:30 PM Eastern, Fisk’s phone, which happened to be the only phone on the island, rang. The Vice President was suddenly pulled aside, just as he was preparing to make his speech.

He was stunned by the news, but sprang into action. Roosevelt would head to the side of the President as fast as possible. He left the island by rowboat, by yacht, and then by train. And he wired this exact message back to Buffalo, scrawled on a railroad timetable:

“Director of hospital or house at which President lies Buffalo NY. Wire me at once full particulars to Van Ness House, Burlington Vermont.”
Theodore Roosevelt
Vice President

“I am so inexplicably shocked and horrified that I cannot say anything.”

Photo: Early 20th century oil painting by Achille Beltrame, depicting McKinley being shot at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, NY, September 6, 1901

Source(s):
Fiskfarm.com

Jack Massee McKinley Society of Pres. Descendants

The following is from the Boston Globe on September 4, 1898. The day before, President William McKinley had spent the d...
09/05/2026

The following is from the Boston Globe on September 4, 1898. The day before, President William McKinley had spent the day visiting the troops at Camp Wikoff. The Presidential party which visited included Vice President Hobart, Attorney General Griggs, and Secretary of War Alger, amongst others. They arrived on September 3, having spent the previous night in Pullman cars at the Amagansett Rail Road Station:

“The American Army which marched to victory in Cuba, and by its achievement won glory and honor for the American colors, was visited today for the first time since it marched away to the wars by its Commander-in-Chief. William McKinley, came here today and for five hours walked and drove under a boiling sun so as not to leave a camp or a hospital unvisited.”

He then made an address to all the troops before heading back to Washington DC. Here is an excerpt of his speech to the troops, including Colonel Theodore Roosevelt:

“General Wheeler, soldiers of Camp Wikoff, I am glad to meet you. I am honored to meet the brave men who stand before me today. I bring you the gratitude of the nation, to whose history you have added by your valor a new and glorious page. You had the brunt of the battle on land. You bore yourselves with supreme courage, and your personal bravery, has won the admiration of your fellow citizens, and the genuine respect of all mankind.”

- New York Herald, September 4, 1898

Photo: President McKinley alongside General Joe Wheeler and party visiting Camp Wikoff, September 1898; note in the back right is Vice President Garret Hobart, whose passing in 1899, paved the way for Theodore Roosevelt to inherit that position alongside McKinley

Source(s): Library of Congress aaqeastend.com

Montauk Historical Society

On September 3, 1902, President Roosevelt was winding down a two week tour through New England. He was less than a year...
09/04/2026

On September 3, 1902, President Roosevelt was winding down a two week tour through New England. He was less than a year into his Presidency and he had made a concerted effort to campaign in New England, beginning his trip on August 22.

He was in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, when the President and team made a fateful visit to Pittsfield, Massachusetts. While traveling through the town in a horse drawn carriage, they crossed a set of trolley car tracks, and to their horror an electric trolley was barreling down on them.

William Craig, the secret service agent alongside Roosevelt yelled:

“Look out! Hold fast!”

But at that moment, it was too late, as the streetcar rammed them at full speed. The carriage was knocked around forty feet, tossing the President clear into the air, landing on his face in the mud. He of course survived, but William Craig was not so lucky, being killed on impact - as he became the first Secret Service agent in our country, to be killed in the line of duty. One of the carriage horses was also sadly killed.

The rest of the passengers fortunately sustained only minor injuries, but TR was furious. He got up from the mud, bleeding from the mouth, and yelling.

“This is the most damnable outrage I ever knew!”

Roosevelt was cleaned up and went to rest at his hotel, canceling his speaking engagements for the rest of the day. But, the trolley car’s driver, Euclid Madden, was arrested and spent 6 months in jail for recklessness. The story is unclear, but many think this may have even been an assassination attempt on Theodore Roosevelt. It was never definitively proven though.

While the press toned down the extent of the President’s injuries, he developed an abscess on his leg in the coming weeks. And 20 days after the crash - he was hospitalized and given emergency surgery in Indianapolis to drain the infection. He even spent time in a wheelchair and walked on crutches for a few weeks, but TR soon recovered and continued his strenuous lifestyle - but it was indeed a close brush with death!

Photo: The damaged Presidential carriage in Pittsfield MA 1902

Source(s): Harvard Library The Berkshire Edge

On September 2, 1901, then Vice President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt, outlined his ideal foreign policy in ...
09/03/2026

On September 2, 1901, then Vice President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt, outlined his ideal foreign policy in a speech at Falcon Heights, Minnesota. It was on this day, that he first uttered the legendary words:

“Speak softly and carry a big stick.”

These powerful, yet simple words would make an everlasting impression on the world and be forever linked to the tenacity of Theodore Roosevelt. Big Stick diplomacy can best be described as careful negotiation (Speak Softly), supported by the unspoken threat of a powerful military (Big Stick).

Photo: July 1907 Puck Magazine illustration of Roosevelt and his Big Stick

Source(s): Library of Congress
National Geographic
Americanhistory.si.edu

Minnesota History Center

Recently, Yosemite National Park has been in the spotlight a lot, and a topic of discussion. It was a place that was ver...
09/02/2026

Recently, Yosemite National Park has been in the spotlight a lot, and a topic of discussion. It was a place that was very near and dear to Theodore Roosevelt, and I know to many people in the modern day. It is indeed one of our National Parks Service gems.

Roosevelt had a famous camping trip to Yosemite in May 1903, during his Whistlestop Tour of the West. When there he spent several eye opening days with the naturalist and conservationist John Muir. The time spent with Muir were crucial in further shaping his conservation policies as President of the United States, and he saw this as one of his signature policies for which he has become legendary today.

Here are a few quotes from TR on Yosemite:

"There can be nothing in the world more beautiful than Yosemite, the groves of the giant sequoias and redwoods. Our people should see to it that they are preserved for their children and their children's children forever, with their majestic beauty all unmarred."

"Being there was like lying in a great solemn cathedral, far vaster and more beautiful than any built by the hand of man."

Currently, there is a proposal for the National Parks Service to transfer a parcel of land inside the park to a real estate private equity firm, with the goal of building a road for park access to two 40 acre parcels of land, the firm wants to develop for visitor lodging.

We aim not to play politics here, but am curious what everyone thinks about this. And to leave it open for discussion. What would TR think? Is this beneficial or harmful to Yosemite?

Photo: TR at Glacier Point in Yosemite during his famous camping trip with Muir in May 1903

Source(s): Fodor’s Travel National Park Service Gabriella Frame

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On August 31, 1910 Theodore Roosevelt delivered perhaps the most famous speech in Kansas state history. Surrounded by 3...
09/01/2026

On August 31, 1910 Theodore Roosevelt delivered perhaps the most famous speech in Kansas state history. Surrounded by 30,000 onlookers at the town of Osawatomie, he delivered his famous “New Nationalism” Speech.

The central issue of the speech was arguing for government protection of human welfare and property rights. It was criticized by some as too “anarchistic” and “ideal” but others viewed it as “one of the greatest speeches ever given on American soil”. Here is an excerpt below:

“I do not ask for overcentralization, but I do ask that we work in a spirit broad and far reaching when we work for what concerns our people as a whole. We are all Americans. Our common interests are as broad as the continent. I speak to you here in Kansas exactly as I would speak in New York or Georgia, for the most vital problems are those which affect us all alike.”

Less than two years later, this very speech would also lay the foundation for TR’s Progressive political platform, during his 1912 Bull Moose Party Presidential run. And it would be published into his book of the same name, titled “The New Nationalism” in late 1910.

Photo: Theodore Roosevelt on back of a train car delivering his famous "New Nationalism" Speech on August 31, 1910 in Osawatomie, Kansas

Source(s): Library of Congress White House Historical Assoc. Kansas Historical Society

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20 Sagamore Hill Road
Oyster Bay, NY
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