Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site

PARK OVERVIEW

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site in Manhattan, New York, preserves the reconstructed childhood home of the 26^th President of the United States. It was established as a National Historic Site in 1962. The building was officially donated to the National Park Service in 1963 by the Theodore Roosevelt Association.

When Theodore Roosevelt’s parents were married in 1853, his grandfather, Cornelius Van Schaack “CVS” Roosevelt, gifted them a brownstone townhouse at 28 East 20th Street. Brownstones are named for their façades made from brown sandstone in the architectural style reflective of the Romantic movement of the early to mid-1800s. In addition, their layouts follow a pattern that include tall stoops, front parlors, rear dining rooms, and upstairs bedrooms.

Theodore was born in the 20th Street brownstone on October 27, 1858, and lived there with his family for 14 years. In 1872, they moved uptown to a mansion at 6 West 57th Street just below Central Park. The birth home was eventually sold and became a clothing store. It was then demolished in 1916 to make way for more retail space. However, the lot sat empty for three years.

Theodore Roosevelt died on January 6, 1919. This prompted the formation of the Women’s Roosevelt Memorial Association (WRMA), whose mission was to “commemorate the life of Theodore Roosevelt by establishing and maintaining a permanent memorial in the City of New York.” The WRMA purchased the empty lot along with the brownstone next door that once belonged to Theodore’s uncle, Robert, with the intention of constructing a replica of the birth home, as well as designing a museum. Noted female American architect Theodate Pope Riddle was hired for the project. (It is strictly a hilarious coincidence that the chosen architect had such a similar name to the former president.)

Because Robert’s brownstone was identical to Theodore’s, it was used as a model for the reconstruction (afterwards it was converted into the museum.) Theodore’s sisters and widow were also consulted for the project. They were able to use his diaries to assist with the reconstruction, and they later donated items that belonged to the family.

The reconstruction of the birth home was completed in 1923, and a rededication ceremony took place on October 27th of that same year to officially open The Roosevelt House to the public. It was privately run until 1962, at which time it became part of the National Park System.

Being a historical site nestled between Manhattan’s Flatiron and Gramercy districts, there are no grounds to walk around, so the main activity available to visitors is touring the house and the museum that is dedicated to the life and contributions of President Theodore Roosevelt, who was the first president to be born in New York City.

OPERATING HOURS

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site is open year-round, typically on Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 AM to 4 PM. Multiple tours of the house are given every day that the park is open. For the current tour schedule, check the National Park Service’s official Plan Your Visit web page for the park.

FEES

All house tours are free of charge and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

SCHEDULING YOUR TIME

Visitor Center
Allow 1 hour (not including watching the one-hour park film)

Birth Home Tour
Allow 45 minutes

Back to the Top