Old Orchard Mansion serves as the Visitor Center for Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Visitor Center for Sagamore Hill National Historic Site is housed in Old Orchard, a mansion built by Theodore Roosevelt Jr. in 1937-38 on four acres of the Sagamore Hill farm that he purchased from this mother, Edith. The land was part of the farm’s original apple orchard. The building is a 250-yard walk from the main parking lot along a paved sidewalk. If you have a handicap parking permit, you can drive right down to the building. There are two parking spots available.

Walkway from the main parking lot to Old Orchard Mansion at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

OPERATING HOURS

The Visitor Center is open Thursdays through Sundays. Hours vary per season, so for the current schedule, see the National Park Service’s official Operating Hours and Seasons web page for Sagamore Hill National Historic Site. It is closed on most federal holidays.

AMENITIES

• Information desk where you can ask questions and pick up a park brochure as well as brochures on Oyster Bay and Youngs Memorial Cemetery where Roosevelt is buried
• Park film
• Theodore Roosevelt museum
• Restrooms

THEODORE ROOSEVELT MUSEUM

Exhibit area in the Theodore Roosevelt Museum covering the early life of Roosevelt, Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

The Theodore Roosevelt Museum inside the Old Orchard mansion is a thorough presentation of Roosevelt’s life and accomplishments. The exhibits are in three different rooms, and the information is presented in chronological order as you walk through them.

Exhibit area in the Old Orchard Visitor Center’s Theodore Roosevelt Museum covering Roosevelt’s political career, Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

Exhibit area in the Old Orchard Visitor Center’s Theodore Roosevelt Museum covering Roosevelt’s 1904 presidential election and foreign policy successes, Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

The bulk of the exhibits are comprised of written information and reproductions of old photos, letters, and other printed materials. However, there are quite a few artifacts such as Roosevelt’s guns and swords, clothing, and gifts he was given over the years by foreign dignitaries.

Theodore Roosevelt’s cavalry uniform from the Spanish-American War of 1898 on display in the Roosevelt Museum at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

Hat worn by Theodore Roosevelt to William McKinley’s funeral in 1901 on display in the Roosevelt Museum at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

Gifts given to Theodore Roosevelt by Emperor Meiji of Japan and Czar Nicholas II of Russia for brokering a peace agreement that ended the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05 on display in the Roosevelt Museum at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

SCHEDULING YOUR TIME

Supposedly there are a few films to watch at the Visitor Center, but all I noticed was a slide show of stills shown on a wall. I have no idea what is available. The Rangers certainly didn’t promote any films during my visit, which is typically the case when there is a park film. That leaves the Roosevelt Museum as the main point of interest. I read through all materials in an hour, so if you are extremely interested in Roosevelt, keep that in mind. Most people, however, will walk quickly through the exhibits, perhaps spending fifteen minutes or so. Also be sure to allow time to speak with a Ranger about what there is to see and do at the park. Depending on your interest in Roosevelt, allow anywhere from a half hour to an hour (more if there are films) for your stop at the Visitor Center.

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