Visit to Sagamore Hill National Historic Site – Oyster Bay Cove, New York
<blank" >target="_blank" >figure class="wp-block-image size-large">When approaching Sagamore Hill, one is greeted by a remarkable view of Oyster Bay Harbor with Center Island in the distance.
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One approaches Sagamore Hill via a winding entrance road. This gives visitors a chance to see the house at a distance, while the occupants have a clear view of those approaching. A rock at the base of the hill has the words Sagamore Hill inscribed upon it.
In the 19th and early 20th century, fields of timothy and corn ran downhill to an early 19th century hay barn.
The Visitor Center is a humble building, welcoming people in. There is a small gift store and tickets for tours are sold inside.
The house was built to Mr. Roosevelt’s specifications for $16,975. It was completed in 1885. The house had twenty-two rooms which were often filled in the years that followed, since the growing family seemed always to be augmented by visiting friends and relatives, as well as by dignitaries.
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One of the distinguishing features of the house is a large piazza. Roosevelt wrote, “The big piazza is for the still hot afternoons of summer… I wished a big piazza… where we could sit in rocking chairs and look at the sunset.” Roosevelt and guests would sit until after dark watching the lights of the Fall River boats go by.
It was on the piazza that Theodore Roosevelt was notified of his nomination for Governor of New York in 1898, for Vice President in 1900, and for President in 1904. He had the false-railing/" class="glossaryLink" data-cmtooltip="f433d278af70f07566345c5c198ace18" target="_blank" >railing removed here to address more effectively groups gathered on the lawn below.
Another section, also with the railing removed, served as a convenient mounting frame/" class="glossaryLink" data-cmtooltip="a264fd4a462aa2af526b8cf3f279e443" target="_blank" >platform for mounting horses and entering carriages.
“The house stands right on top of the hill, separated by fields and belts of woodland from all other houses, and looks out over the bay and Sound. We see the sun go down beyond long reaches of land and water… We love all the seasons; the snows and bare woods of winter; the rush of growing things and the blossom-spray of spring; the yellow grains, the ripening fruits and tasseled corn, and the deep, leafy shades that are heralded by ‘the green dance of summer’; and the sharp fall winds that tear the brilliant banners with which the trees greet the dying year.” Theodore Roosevelt: An Autobiography
Not far from the piazza is a stone remembering Quentin Roosevelt, son of Theodore Roosevelt who was born November 19, 1897 and died July 14, 1918. The inscription on the stone reads “He has outsoared the shadow of our night.”
heading">Working Farm
Sagamore Hill was also a working farm from 1885-1948. A farm manager supervized local men who came daily to work the fields and tend the livestock. They grew timothy, ryegrass and corn to feed the horses, pigs, and dairy cows. A flock of more than 100 chickens provided eggs and meat for the family table.
A three-acre garden was planted with vegetables, raspberries, strawberries and flowers, and had arbors for 3-4 varieties of grapes. A small fruit orchard near the garden provided peaches, plums and pears; a large apple and pear orchard was sited beyond the cow paddock.
The photo to the left shows the Farm Shed and Chicken House, ca. 1925. These largely functional buildings still remained and were in good condition in 2011, though the chickens were long gone.
Water was pumped for the house by wind power. The windmill structure also offered a challenge to small gymnasts in the family who loved to clamber about it. Archie and Quentin could frequently be seen climbing the windmill.
The Wood and Tool Shed was used to store firewood and tools which were indispensable for keeping the farm and equipment in good repair.
The Stable and Lodge, built in 1884, was the first structure built at Sagamore Hill. It provided a home for the farm manager, his family, and the single men who worked as grooms and farm hands, and allowed them to keep a close eye on the horses housed in the lower level.
Old Orchard House
Fittingly, beyond the orchard is the Old Orchard House built by Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. and his wife in the 1930s. A small museum inside recounts Roosevelt’s many accomplishments. Over the seven and a half years of his presidency, Theodore Roosevelt created 150 national forests, 51 bird reservations, 3 game preserves, 5 national parks, and 18 national monuments. He protected pubic lands at the rate of 84,000 acres a day for each day he served as President, for a total of more than 230 million acres.
As we were leaving the thank you for visiting message on the back of the entrance sign was a nice touch. The quote from Theodore Roosevelt were the final words offered: “Keep your eyes on the stars, but remember to keep your feet on the ground.”
On his birthday each year there is a commemoration at the Theodore Roosevelt grave site in Youngs Memorial Cemetery. This is at the foot of the road that leads up Oyster Bay Cove to Sagamore Hill. The grave is perched atop a hill and at one time had views of Oyster Bay Harbor. The views are no more but the serenity of this place/" class="glossaryLink" data-cmtooltip="220319b82d3c5c5858b458254dc2dbde" target="_blank" >resting place persist, with Roosevelt surrounded by his many family members and neighbors.