• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Park Ranger John

  • Home
  • About
    • About Park Ranger John
    • Contact Park Ranger John
    • Advertise/PR
    • Disclosure
  • Travel
    • US National Parks
    • List of National Parks by State
    • List of US National Parks in Alphabetical Order
    • Cruise Travel
  • Recipes
  • Outdoor Life
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • US National Parks
  • Cruise Travel
  • State Parks
  • Recipes
×

Published: Jul 18, 2018 · This post may contain affiliate links

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site - New York

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site is located in the heart of New York City in Manhattan's Gramercy Park district.

 

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site

Contents

  • Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
  •  
    • Take a guided tour
    • View an introductory film on the early life of Theodore Roosevelt.
    • Become a Junior Ranger
    • Things to know when planning a trip to Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace NHS
    • National Parks near Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site

This site details what Theodore Roosevelt's life would have been like growing up. 

This is not the house that Theodore Roosevelt grew up in but a great replica. This reconstructed 1848 brownstone townhouse is furnished as it would have been during his childhood.

We were really excited to plan our visit to this park. Theodore Roosevelt is one of the biggest pioneers of the National Park system and created the antiquities act.  

As President from 1901 to 1909, he signed legislation establishing five new national parks: Crater Lake, Oregon; Wind Cave, South Dakota; Sullys Hill, North Dakota (later re-designated a game preserve); Mesa Verde, Colorado; and Platt, Oklahoma (now part of Chickasaw National Recreation Area). 

In 1906 he had proclaimed four national monuments: Devils Tower, Wyoming, El Morro, New Mexico, Montezuma Castle, Arizona, and Petrified Forest, Arizona.

Theodore Roosevelt is now commemorated at six units of the National Park System.

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site in New York City

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site in Oyster Bay, New York

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site in Buffalo, New York

Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, and Theodore Roosevelt Island in Washington, DC.

Theodore Roosevelt is one of four Presidents gracing Mt. Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota.

I went into my visit to Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace NHS with high hopes of learning more about this great president, the work he did for the National Parks, and his early life.

I came out of my visit a bit disappointed, unfortunately. This park site feels like it is partway done but not there yet and I honestly hate to say that.

The refinished rooms are great and well worth taking a guided tour.  The ranger leading our tour was very new to the park and struggled a bit with the tour. I totally get how this happens but it definitely put a damper on our visit and we left not as excited as we hoped to be.

The visitor center and museum have great potential but honestly need a bit of help.

The information is not laid out in a manner that is easily absorbed. There is a great display showcasing the parks that Theodore Roosevelt created or had an impact on that was fantastic. The rest of the museum felt like it was still a work in process.

 

Take a guided tour

Tours are limited to twenty persons and are offered on a first-come-first-served basis.

The guided tours lead you through five historically furnished rooms including many family-owned items. Be prepared to walk up and down stairs on this tour.

During our visit in June 2018, the elevator was broken and the staff was unsure when it would be repaired.

View an introductory film on the early life of Theodore Roosevelt.

You can watch a 25-minute film the details the early life of Theodore Roosevelt in the visitor center. I am going to warn you that this is not a riveting blockbuster movie.

The film has a lot of good information but is super dry and honestly feels like the longest 25 minutes of your day.

I really hate to say that but I don't want you to plan for the movie and then plan how to tell me you hated it. 🙂

 

Become a Junior Ranger

You can view and print out the booklet here if you want to start learning about the park before your visit.

The Junior Ranger booklet includes questions you can answer in the visitor center museum and during the tour.

Make sure you plan to attend the tour if you are looking to finish the junior ranger program.

A few of the questions we had to google because we were not sure of the answers after the tour and museum.

Things to know when planning a trip to Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace NHS

Park address - 28 East 20th Street, New York, NY 10003

Park Phone number - 212-260-1616

Park Hours - The park is closed on Monday and Tuesdays.
Wednesday through Sunday the park is open from 9 am to 5 pm

Entrance Fee - There is no entrance fee to visit Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace NHS in NYC

Travel Tips Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site

Food and drinks are not allowed

Service animals are the only allowable  pets on-premise

Strollers are not allowed on the tour, there is a small amount of storage on site.

Large bags, backpacks, etc. must be left with staff at the front desk! They will ask for all bags before the tour begins. A volunteer is at the desk to make sure that your bags are safe and secure. At the end of the tour make sure to pick up your bags.

Personal photography without flash is permitted

National Parks near Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site

African Burial Ground National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

Ellis Island – Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument

Federal Hall National Memorial

Gateway National Recreation Area

General Grant National Memorial

Governors Island National Monument

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Lower East Side Tenement Museum National Historic Site

Statue of Liberty National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

Check out all of the National Parks in New York and neighboring Vermont National Parks, Pennsylvania National Parks, New Jersey National Parks, Connecticutt National Parks, and National Parks in Massachusetts. 

Related posts:

  1. Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site - New York
  2. President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site
  3. Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site - New York
  4. Castle Clinton National Monument - New York
« Printable list of National Parks Sites in the United States
Joshua Tree National Park Travel Tips »

Filed Under: US National Parks

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Photobucket
Hi, I'm Park Ranger John and I am so happy you are here!  I have been a Park Ranger for almost 20 years and can't wait to share with you National Park Travel Tips, Recipes, and so much more!
Learn more about Park Ranger John.

PhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucket

Footer

Follow on:

PhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucket

Great Resources

How to Become a Park Ranger

Printable list of US National Parks in Alphabetical Order

Printable List of all 424 US National Park Sites

 

Top National Park Tips

  • US National Park List
  • 13 Hikes in Zion National Park
  • Muir Woods National Monument
  • Zion National Park Camping
  • 7 Epic Hikes in Arches National Park
  • Crater Lake Camping
  • Things to do in Petrified Forest National Park
  • Arches National Park Camping
  • Things to do in Yellowstone

Copyright© 2022 · Tammilee Tips® LLC