The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased; and not impaired in value. ― Theodore Roosevelt

Robin Wexler, Sagamore Hill in Autumn, collage

From the Editors

Before answering questions from volunteers, Jonathan emphasized again the mission of the NPS – to promote our resources, to conserve them and promote the enjoyment of those resources. In that light, he explained some of the challenges that must be addressed to meet that mission and to assure the health and safety of staff, volunteers, and visitors. These include the wearing of masks, social distancing, and capacity limits. While the State of New York mandates both masks and social distancing, the Federal Government does not. And large group indoor tours, as we have done them in the past, will not be resumed for the foreseeable future. If any tours are given inside the TRH, the group’s capacity would be limited to members of one household. Other challenges involve budget constraints, the delay of the demolition of the former Visitor Center, and staffing changes and reduction (seasonal workers will soon be ending their terms of employment until Memorial Day, and Susan Sarna will be dividing her duties between Fire Island and Sagamore Hill).

Tyler Kuliberda then picked up the conversation about the promotion of our resources here at Sagamore Hill. Dealing with both the new reality of fewer in-person contacts and the public’s increased use of social media, Tyler emphasized that with Marie’s help, our presence on social media platforms has increased. He and other staff members have added improvements to the Park's website, including additional historical articles, new videos for virtual grounds tours, greater access to our online photo “galleries”, and a new Teacher Ranger lesson plan series available to teachers all over the country. Additionally, rangers rove the Park throughout the day to answer visitor questions, and an outdoor information station has been set up on weekends.

Susan Sarna reporting on current conservation projects explained that although we all miss taking visitors through the 135-year old TRH, the house is “enjoying” taking a bit of a breather. The closure has also allowed for continuing conservation work on the North Room wallpaper, the only original wallpaper remaining in the TRH. Silverfish infestation in the books in the Gun Room was also addressed and eliminated. New replacement carpets for the entrance hall were purchased to more closely resemble those found in the TRH during TR’s presidency. Sue also spoke about the continuing need to protect and preserve some of the original linens, including bedspreads, from light and dust damage. Despite light filters on the windows, linens as well as oil and watercolor paintings need to be wrapped to protect these vulnerable objects (see Curator’s Corner). Finally, Sue indicated that archival material from the TR Birthplace are being scanned for research accessibility, and she said at some point she hopes that volunteers in the Curatorial division might be able to work from home when other original documents are scanned and ready.

Laurel Brierly, new volunteer coordinator, introduced herself and spoke about her background, her excitement at being at Sagamore Hill and the prospect of working with, and developing, volunteer opportunities. (See her article below.)

One of the many questions asked by volunteers before and during the meeting on Friday was “How can we be used during this interim period?” Although Jonathan quite frankly said that because our plans for reopening are in a kind of “holding pattern”, there were no volunteer opportunities, as we have known them, at present. However, because we are familiar with the Park, and have shown a commitment to promoting it, conserving it, and making it an enjoyable experience for visitors, we are invited to visit, walk the grounds, and continue to let people know that the grounds are open and there is always something to learn and enjoy while walking where the Roosevelts lived, worked, and played. So stay tuned.

Just as we inevitably move from Fall to Winter, so we move into Spring and carry with us what Mr. Dickens called, “great expectations”. The staff expressed their appreciation for what we have done and look forward to our return at some point.  And with your help, the Rough Writer will continue to connect us to each other, the staff, and those who treasure the Sagamore Hill experience.  

It Happened in October

October 27, 1858 – Theodore Roosevelt born in New York City

(Theodore Roosevelt. Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site.)

October 18, 1878 – TR meets Alice Hathaway Lee

October 27, 1880 – TR marries Alice

October 16, 1901 – Booker T. Washington dines at the White House

October 1902 – TR mediates labor dispute between coal mine workers and coal mine

owners

October 14, 1912 – John Schrank shoots TR in the chest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

October 1913 – TR leaves for South America to begin a lecture tour; after a series of lectures, TR embarks on his expedition down the River of Doubt in Brazil

This is my first permanent appointment with the National Park Service, but I’m in my sixth year of public service with the NPS. I started my seasonal career as a Park Ranger at Governors Island National Monument in New York Harbor, and spent two summers there, guiding visitors around forts and firing historic weaponry. Next, I spent three summers at Grand Canyon National Park, where I worked on the South Rim, giving programs, mentoring staff, and running our annual Living History Festival, Echoes from the Canyon. Most recently, I began a season in July 2020 at the Statue of Liberty, where I spent two months before making the switch to Sagamore Hill.

Robin Wexler created the impressionistic collage of Theodore Roosevelt’s home, Sagamore Hill in Autumn at the top of this issue of the Rough Writer. A volunteer at Old Orchard Museum, retired educator, and artist, Robin currently serves as secretary for the Volunteer Advisory Board, and since the Covid shutdown in March is a full-time artist.  

In addition to the image of the Theodore Roosevelt Home, she has created other pieces inspired by the house and grounds of Sagamore Hill, its staff and volunteers, friends, and famous individuals. Since March, she finds she has even more time for her art, calling some of her images the “Pandemic Series”. These include some political images including the Notorious RBG and other items inspired by these unsettled times.

Since the end of May, Toby Selda has been hosting a weekly socially-distant “salon” (think Gertrude Stein) in her backyard. Regulars Nancy Hall, Mary Ann Reardon, Madeline Nelson, and Charlotte Miska get together and discuss all things related to Sagamore Hill and TR besides working on solving the problems of the world. Recently some very special guests showed up – the former "Curatorial Dream Team" – Betsy DeMaria, Laura Cinturati, and Lana Dubin! Betsy is busy at the William Floyd House and Lana is back on site at the Tenement Museum in lower Manhattan. Laura divides her time between working remotely and working on-site at Sagamore Hill. What fun it was to see them together again.

Laura shared a photo of baby Frankie with his book about TR. Frankie looks great in his TR onesie.

A recent article in The New York Times discussed historian Harold Holzer's latest book, The President vs. the Press. What caught this writer’s eye was the picture showing Theodore Roosevelt talking with journalists. The new book discusses the interaction of all United States Presidents and the members of the press corps. Nearly all occupants of the White House have had contentious dealings with journalists.

TR Talking to Journalists (PhotoQuest/Getty Images)

At the conclusion of TR’s campaign for governor, up the Hudson and through New York State, all the members of the press who were with him on the train signed a letter “from the Rough Writers.” In 1998, SAHI volunteer Linda Milano wrote a newsletter for volunteers and gave it the name The Rough Writer. The publication you are reading is in its 23rd year.

Did you ever think about what started this war or how the volunteers who served under Theodore Roosevelt got the name Rough Riders? While the sinking of the USS Maine, a US naval fleet ship, was initially seen as the primary reason the US declared war on Spain, like the name of Roosevelt’s regiment, there is more to the story on both of these issues.

The war between the Spanish and the Cuban resistance freedom fighters had gone on for several years, and the conflict involved more than just Cuba. Spain, which originally established colonies in the New World, wanted total control over Cuba and other colonies. These included Puerto Rico and the Philippines. The US watched the conflict with interest because of trade concerns and the fact that many Americans were living in or traveling to Cuba. President McKinley, backed by his predecessor, President Cleveland, wanted to avoid war and use all the power of the government to negotiate a settlement of all hostilities. However, the newspapers in the US, reporting on a war only 90 miles from our shore, and detailing terrible atrocities afflicted on the Cuban people by Spanish soldiers, outraged readers in the United States. In addition, many US newspapers were looking for a war to report on to help spike sales. The famed newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst, owner of the New York Journal, after receiving a dispatch from his reporter in Cuba concerning the lack of fighting in his locale tells his reporter, “... you furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war.”(Walker 44)

Finally, a growing number of influential people and politicians thought it was a perfect time to show the world the power of the US and elevate its position as a world leader. One of these individuals was Theodore Roosevelt. In 1897, Roosevelt was New York City police commissioner, but McKinley needed an Assistant Secretary of the Navy to work under Secretary John Long. Thanks to the persuasive efforts of Senator Henry Cabot Lodge and a few other prominent men, President McKinley appointed Roosevelt to the post. Lodge, while leaning towards negotiations, wanted a more forceful and aggressive man in the naval department, and Roosevelt, who once said, “what this country needs is a war” fit the bill.

McKinley, after much campaigning for a peaceful settlement, felt the pressure to fight against Spain from US newspapers and other politicians. Immediately after the USS Maine exploded in Havana on February 15, 1898, with a loss of 260 men and officers, the NY Journal started running daily headlines:

“$50,000 reward – Who destroyed the Maine?”

A February 15, 1898, file photo of the USS Maine following an explosion in Havana Harbor, in which 267 crewmen where killed. (Associated Press)

The President now heard the battle cry of the US population: “Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain”(Walker 27), and on April 25 he declared war on Spain, its colonies in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.

The moment Roosevelt had been waiting for was about to come to fruition. From his position as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, he ordered all ships to load up on fuel, directed Admiral Perry in the Asiatic Pacific to block all Spanish warships in Hong Kong and then sail to the Philippines and attack their ships if necessary. Roosevelt, not wanting to see the war from behind a desk, resigned his post, was commissioned Lt. Colonel under the command of Colonel Leonard Wood, and began to organize and train a regiment of fighters to be ready for battle.

Once word got out that Roosevelt was organizing a volunteer regiment, 2,400 men from across the country volunteered within the first 24 hours. Less than a thousand were accepted for training. Roosevelt began their military training in San Antonio, Texas (because its climate approximated that of Cuba). His troop was composed of cowboys, athletes, Harvard classmates, mine workers, rich young men, and tennis stars. All this enthusiasm became hot news and was rigorously covered by the press. One reporter who visited the training camp, Richard Oulahan, wrote years later (1912) in The New York Times that Roosevelt had said he “wanted to raise a regiment of men who can shoot and ride,” and that Roosevelt described his men as “a regiment of rough riders”. Although, Roosevelt told the reporter at the time that the official name of the troop was the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry and asked him not to use the term “rough riders”, Oulahan realized the value of this alliterative phrase and slipped it into his dispatch which was printed in the New York Evening Star. The country loved the sound and image it portrayed. Roosevelt wanted his regiment to be referred to as Mounted Riflemen, but after hearing the public and generals use the term “rough riders,” he accepted the label. His efforts were then devoted to making the men ready to fight.

After 133 days, by the time the Rough Riders were mustered out on September 15, 1898, 21 had died in battle, 13 more of wounds; 97 were wounded, 19 died of disease, and 12 men deserted. The Rough Riders had the highest casualty rate of any regiment in the war, but their place in American legend was secured. (Spanish American Centennial Website).

Sources:

Garraty, John. Teddy Roosevelt American Rough Rider. Mn: American Heritage Publishing, 1967.

Heatley, Jeff, (edited by). Bully! , A Newspaper Chronicle. NY: Montauk Historical Society, 1998.

Risen, Clay. The Crowded Hour. NY: Simon & Schuster, 2019.

Spanish American Centennial Website.

Walker, Dale L. The Boys of ‘98, Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders. NY: Tom Doherty Associates, 1998.

www.ushistory.org/us/44c.asp.

Internet references: Spanish American War. 2020.

The grounds of Sagamore Hill are beautiful any time of year and October brings not only the rich colors of Autumn, but also a peacefulness as the season changes. Native flowers are blooming. Eastern Phoebes and Northern Flickers stop off on their migration south. White-throated sparrows have arrived to spend the winter on Long Island and Dark-eyed Juncos will soon join them. With the cooler temperatures, it is a great time to take a hike around the grounds.

The Friends of Sagamore Hill held our September 15^th meeting outdoors at the picnic area behind the old Visitor Center. We are delighted to report that Board member David Robbins was there, in person this time, looking well after his recent surgery. Also joining us was Jonathan Parker our newly appointed permanent superintendent. Congratulations and welcome back, Jonathan!

Our first virtual event, held on September 17^th, a conversation between authors Clay Risen and Susan Berfield regarding Susan’s book The Hour of Fate – Theodore Roosevelt, J.P. Morgan and the Battle to Transform American Capitalism, was very well received. For those who missed it or wish to see it again, here is a link. https://www.c-span.org/video/?476132-1/the-hour-fate.

Patrick Teubner has scheduled a virtual event for October 27 at 7 pm EDT, with Burt Solomon, whose Gable Lecture last spring had to be canceled. This event will be an author conversation between Burt and Susan Berfield, discussing his book, The Attempted Murder of Teddy Roosevelt, with some cross-references to Susan’s book, The Hour of Fate. We invite you to attend (via CrowdCast) what promises to be a fascinating and entertaining conversation between authors. To sign up for this event, please follow this link: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/the-friends-of-sagamore?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=profile_web&utm_campaign=profile.

Also in the works is a Holiday Program featuring our favorite TR repriser, Joe Wiegand. This year “Christmas With the Roosevelts" will be virtual! Stay tuned for time and date and login details.

Brian Tadler is hard at work trying to arrange for several more virtual events. One is tentatively scheduled for January 17, 2021 and promises to be a lot of fun as well as informative. Cliff Barackman, a prominent Sasquatch researcher and host of Animal Planet's hit program "Finding Bigfoot", will share with us stories of Bigfoot sightings, including tales told by Theodore Roosevelt, and why he says there is plenty of evidence to prove the elusive primate exists. He loves skeptics, so come prepared to hold Cliff’s “feet” to the fire. Login details will be forthcoming, but save the date!

Patrick is still working out the details for another virtual event based on Dan Abrams’ book, Theodore Roosevelt for the Defense. Dan also was originally scheduled to participate in our 2020 Gable Lectures and, unfortunately, due to the pandemic, had to cancel. We will let you know when there is a firm time and date for this event.

Our September meeting was a chance for all of us to be together to honor and thank two very special people, Susan Sarna and Joe DeFranco.  

Joe was presented with a framed “Man in the Arena” quote for all of his efforts in helping the Friends apply for our first ever grant and for everything he has done for us in ways small and large over the years. Thank you so much, Joe.  

It was bittersweet to present our gift to Sue Sarna, as doing so was in conjunction with her phased departure from Sagamore Hill. She assured us she will always be available to consult, advise, and keep us focused, but we are going to miss her terribly. After some thought, we decided on a non-TR related going away gift – two needlepoint pillows, each one bearing a likeness of her dachshunds, to enhance the décor in her new home. It is impossible to summarize all that Sue has meant to Sagamore Hill and to our group – thank you seems inadequate – but we do thank you from the bottom of our hearts nonetheless.

You can find the Rough Writer on the Friends of Sagamore Hill website (friendsofsagamorehill.org). Simply select the MORE ABOUT TR menu and click Rough Writer Newsletter. You will go to a page that lists the Rough Writer issues starting with January 2020. Back issues are now readily available for your reading pleasure. Thank you Patrick Teubner for making this happen.

For more information please check out our website at www.nps.gov/sahi or call