Many times, great things are near our homes.
Exploring history close to home is always a treat. And Long Island offers an abundance of opportunities for any visitor or lifelong resident. So an afternoon visit to Sagamore Hill, Theodore Roosevelt’s home, located in Oyster Bay, Long Island certainly fit the bill.
Growing up on Long Island, this National Historic Site has always had a special place in my heart. As a child, my parents would take me here often to walk its beautiful grounds and visit its presidential home. Its beauty and appeal has never faded.
Sagamore Hill contains 83 acres of natural surroundings and historical buildings offering something for everyone. Families can enjoy the open space while teaching their kids about history. And of course history buffs get an insight into the home and family of one of our country’s most iconic presidents.
So join me and my husband on our visit to Theodore Roosevelt’s home. Let’s begin with some…
HISTORY
Sagamore Hill was the home of Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States, from 1885 until his death in 1919. Roosevelt, a native New Yorker, fell in love with this area full of plant and animal life so it was no wonder he chose to build a home here.
This home was dubbed the “Summer White House” from 1902-1908. It became the primary residence of Theodore and Edith Roosevelt for the rest of their lives. It was also the birthplace of their five children. Throughout his presidency, Sagamore Hill played host to numerous visits from foreign dignitaries and peace talks.
On July 25, 1962, Congress established Sagamore Hill as a National Historic Site.
On October 15, 1966, it was listed on the National Register of Historic places.
ORIGIN OF ITS NAME
Originally, Roosevelt planned on naming the home “Leeholm” after his first wife, Alice Hathaway Lee Roosevelt. However, she died in 1884 after giving birth to their child and Roosevelt remarried in 1886. He then decided to change the name to “Sagamore Hill”.
Did you know that its name Sagamore is the Algonquin word for chieftain, the head of a tribe?
THE HOME”S ARCHITECTURE
The shingle style Queen Anne Home was originally designed by the New York architectural firm of Lamb & Rich in 1884. The 22-room house was eventually completed by John A. Wood and Son, of Lawrence, Long Island and Roosevelt moved into the house in 1887. From its inception, Roosevelt’s home went through various upgrades.
Is that a reflection of us or ghosts of the past? 
The home’s front entrance.
In 1905, Roosevelt expanded the house, adding the largest room, called the “North Room.” The cost of this at the time was $19,000 (equal to $547,270 today). Wow!
The North Room is quite a sight to see. Furnished with trophies from Roosevelt’s many hunts as well as gifts from foreign dignitaries, it is quite impressive. At the time, the home had 23 rooms. Its bathroom had a porcelain tub which was quite a high end item at the time.
Other buildings on the grounds include The Old Orchard House, built by Theodore Roosevelt Jr. in 1938.
A path to Old Orchard House and a nature trail. 
Anyone home?
It is a Georgian Revival or Neo Georgian Style home, that now serves as a Museum to his father’s legacy. I knocked but no one was home! Only kidding! Unfortunately, the buildings are closed due to COVID so keep checking back to their website for updates. https://www.nps.gov/sahi/index.htm
Other points of interest include the family’s pet cemetery and the windmill. The latter was used to to pump water from the well to a holding tank on the third floor of the home in order to provide running water for the kitchen and bathrooms in the house.
The windmill. 
The family’s pet cemetery.
ITS NATURAL BEAUTY
Open land and multiple trails offer the nature lover a bounty of options. Take the nature trail to Eel Creek and Cold Spring Harbor for some glorious views. And just the walk up to his home offers beautiful vistas.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT SANCTUARY & AUDUBON CENTER
A short drive up the road is this sanctuary, the first Audubon songbird sanctuary in the nation. It offers a wide variety of activities, including environmental education, wildlife research and conservation advocacy. As a sanctuary, it contains non-releasable raptors including owls, hawks and falcons.
A COUSIN CONNECTION
Did you know who Theodore Roosevelt’s fifth cousin was? Another president, of course! Franklin D. Roosevelt! Interested in more presidential history in New York State?
Read all about my visit to Franklin Roosevelt’s home in Hyde Park, New York. Click here to read on:https://followmyyellowbrickroad.com/?page_id=4616
