Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
Encyclopedia
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site is a recreated brownstone
at 28 East 20th Street, between Broadway and Park Avenue South, in Manhattan
, New York City
.
As of summer 2011, the site is temporarily closed to the public, pending emergency repairs to a fire escape
. According to the National Park Service, the repairs are currently expected to be completed by November 2011.
The house that originally stood on the site was built in 1848, and was bought by the Roosevelts in 1854. Theodore Roosevelt
was born there on October 27, 1858, and lived in the house with his family until 1872 when the neighborhood began to become more commercial, and the family moved uptown to West 57th Street.
The original building was demolished in 1916, but the lot was purchased and the house rebuilt in 1919 by the Women's Roosevelt Memorial Association
, which eventually merged with the Roosevelt Memorial Association
in 1953 to form the Theodore Roosevelt Association
. Noted female American architect Theodate Pope Riddle
was given the task of reconstructing a replica of the house, as well as designing the museum, situated next door, that serves to complete the site. The row house next door at No. 26, which was a twin to the Roosevelts', was used as a model, and some architectural elements from it were incorporated into the replicae. The twin house was demolished to make space for the museum. The restoration recreates the house as it was in 1865.
The house was rededicated in 1923 and was subsequently refurbished with many furnishings from the original house by the President's widow, Edith
, and his two sisters. The widow and sisters also supplied information about the interior's appearance during Roosevelt's residency. It now serves as a museum dedicated to the life and contributions of the 26th President of the United States
. There is no entrance fee to the house or the museum.
The Theodore Roosevelt Association
donated the Birthplace to the National Park Service
in 1963, and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
on October 15, 1966.
house features a mansard roof
, and a high stoop above the basement. The hooded moldings above the windows and doorway are in the Gothic Revival style.
Brownstone
Brownstone is a brown Triassic or Jurassic sandstone which was once a popular building material. The term is also used in the United States to refer to a terraced house clad in this material.-Types:-Apostle Island brownstone:...
at 28 East 20th Street, between Broadway and Park Avenue South, in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
As of summer 2011, the site is temporarily closed to the public, pending emergency repairs to a fire escape
Fire escape
A fire escape is a special kind of emergency exit, usually mounted to the outside of a building or occasionally inside but separate from the main areas of the building. It provides a method of escape in the event of a fire or other emergency that makes the stairwells inside a building inaccessible...
. According to the National Park Service, the repairs are currently expected to be completed by November 2011.
History
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
was born there on October 27, 1858, and lived in the house with his family until 1872 when the neighborhood began to become more commercial, and the family moved uptown to West 57th Street.
The original building was demolished in 1916, but the lot was purchased and the house rebuilt in 1919 by the Women's Roosevelt Memorial Association
Theodore Roosevelt Association
The Theodore Roosevelt Association is a historical and cultural organization dedicated to honoring the life and work of Theodore Roosevelt , the 26th president of the United States....
, which eventually merged with the Roosevelt Memorial Association
Theodore Roosevelt Association
The Theodore Roosevelt Association is a historical and cultural organization dedicated to honoring the life and work of Theodore Roosevelt , the 26th president of the United States....
in 1953 to form the Theodore Roosevelt Association
Theodore Roosevelt Association
The Theodore Roosevelt Association is a historical and cultural organization dedicated to honoring the life and work of Theodore Roosevelt , the 26th president of the United States....
. Noted female American architect Theodate Pope Riddle
Theodate Pope Riddle
Theodate Pope Riddle was an American architect. She was one of the first American women architects as well as a survivor of the Lusitania.-Life:...
was given the task of reconstructing a replica of the house, as well as designing the museum, situated next door, that serves to complete the site. The row house next door at No. 26, which was a twin to the Roosevelts', was used as a model, and some architectural elements from it were incorporated into the replicae. The twin house was demolished to make space for the museum. The restoration recreates the house as it was in 1865.
The house was rededicated in 1923 and was subsequently refurbished with many furnishings from the original house by the President's widow, Edith
Edith Roosevelt
Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt was the second wife of Theodore Roosevelt and served as First Lady of the United States during his presidency from 1901 to 1909.-Early life:...
, and his two sisters. The widow and sisters also supplied information about the interior's appearance during Roosevelt's residency. It now serves as a museum dedicated to the life and contributions of the 26th President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
. There is no entrance fee to the house or the museum.
The Theodore Roosevelt Association
Theodore Roosevelt Association
The Theodore Roosevelt Association is a historical and cultural organization dedicated to honoring the life and work of Theodore Roosevelt , the 26th president of the United States....
donated the Birthplace to the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
in 1963, and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on October 15, 1966.
Architecture
The three-story brownstoneBrownstone
Brownstone is a brown Triassic or Jurassic sandstone which was once a popular building material. The term is also used in the United States to refer to a terraced house clad in this material.-Types:-Apostle Island brownstone:...
house features a mansard roof
Mansard roof
A mansard or mansard roof is a four-sided gambrel-style hip roof characterized by two slopes on each of its sides with the lower slope at a steeper angle than the upper that is punctured by dormer windows. The roof creates an additional floor of habitable space, such as a garret...
, and a high stoop above the basement. The hooded moldings above the windows and doorway are in the Gothic Revival style.