Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
Encyclopedia
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site preserves the Ansley Wilcox House, at 641 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo, New York
. Here, after the assassination of William McKinley
, Theodore Roosevelt
took the oath of office as President of the United States on September 14, 1901. A New York historical marker outside of the house indicates that it was the site of Theodore Roosevelt's Inauguration.
The oldest part of the National Historic Site includes the lone surviving structure from the Buffalo Barracks compound. Due to tensions between the U.S. and Anglo-Canada, a military post was constructed to ensure border security. Built in 1839, the post encompassed all the land from Allen Street to North Street and Delaware Ave to Main Street. The structure that would later be incorporated into the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site started life in 1840 as the Barrack's officer's quarters.
After the post was disbanded in 1845, the home reverted to a private residence. Subsequent owners continued to modify the structure adding and demolishing out structures and additions. In the late 19th century, Dexter Rumsey gave the property to his son-in-law Ansley Wilcox
and his wife Mary Grace Rumsey. The newest inhabitants made extensive renovations to the structure. Plans of these renovations are still on file at the Historic Site.
In 1901, while attending the Pan-American Exposition
, anarchist Leon Czolgosz
twice shot President William McKinley. Although early doctor's reports on the President's condition were positive, McKinley's condition soon worsened. Vice-President Theodore Roosevelt rushed back to Buffalo, but arrived only after McKinley had died.
It was decided to conduct the inauguration immediately due to the tragic and politically charged circumstances of the President's death. The most appropriate site was determined to be the Wilcox home. Approximately 50 dignitaries, family members and cabinet officials gathered in the front library for the inauguration. Federal Judge John R. Hazel
administered the oath. No photograph image exists of the ceremony itself, although the room was heavily photographed after the inauguration had concluded.
The Wilcoxes continued to live in the home until their deaths in the 1930s. The home's furniture was sold at a public auction
and the property became the Kathryn Lawrence Restaurant. The proprietors removed interior walls, demolished a carriage house, and painted many of the finished wood surfaces before the restaurant ceased operations in 1961.
, including wine glasses, plates, playing cards, and the key to the Temple of Music
. The last room is a recreation of the Oval Office as it appeared during Roosevelt's Presidency, and includes an interactive desk which can be used to send e-mails to yourself.
was authorized on November 2, 1966. As a historic area administered by the National Park Service
, it was automatically listed on the National Register of Historic Places
the same day.
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
. Here, after the assassination of William McKinley
William McKinley
William McKinley, Jr. was the 25th President of the United States . He is best known for winning fiercely fought elections, while supporting the gold standard and high tariffs; he succeeded in forging a Republican coalition that for the most part dominated national politics until the 1930s...
, Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
took the oath of office as President of the United States on September 14, 1901. A New York historical marker outside of the house indicates that it was the site of Theodore Roosevelt's Inauguration.
Property history
After the post was disbanded in 1845, the home reverted to a private residence. Subsequent owners continued to modify the structure adding and demolishing out structures and additions. In the late 19th century, Dexter Rumsey gave the property to his son-in-law Ansley Wilcox
Ansley Wilcox
Ansley Wilcox was an American scholar, Oxford graduate, lawyer, civil service reform commissioner, New York political insider and friend of Theodore Roosevelt....
and his wife Mary Grace Rumsey. The newest inhabitants made extensive renovations to the structure. Plans of these renovations are still on file at the Historic Site.
In 1901, while attending the Pan-American Exposition
Pan-American Exposition
The Pan-American Exposition was a World's Fair held in Buffalo, New York, United States, from May 1 through November 2, 1901. The fair occupied of land on the western edge of what is present day Delaware Park, extending from Delaware Ave. to Elmwood Ave and northward to Great Arrow...
, anarchist Leon Czolgosz
Leon Czolgosz
Leon Czolgosz was the assassin of U.S. President William McKinley.In the last few years of his life, he claimed to have been heavily influenced by anarchists such as Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman.- Early life :...
twice shot President William McKinley. Although early doctor's reports on the President's condition were positive, McKinley's condition soon worsened. Vice-President Theodore Roosevelt rushed back to Buffalo, but arrived only after McKinley had died.
John R. Hazel
John Raymond Hazel was a United States jurist and politician, best known for administrating the swearing in ceremony of then Vice President Theodore Roosevelt as the 26th President of the United States...
administered the oath. No photograph image exists of the ceremony itself, although the room was heavily photographed after the inauguration had concluded.
The Wilcoxes continued to live in the home until their deaths in the 1930s. The home's furniture was sold at a public auction
Public auction
A public auction is an auction held on behalf of a government in which the property to be auctioned is either property owned by the government, or property which is sold under the authority of a court of law or a government agency with similar authority....
and the property became the Kathryn Lawrence Restaurant. The proprietors removed interior walls, demolished a carriage house, and painted many of the finished wood surfaces before the restaurant ceased operations in 1961.
Museum
The first part of the house is a museum displaying many items from the 1901 Pan-American ExpositionPan-American Exposition
The Pan-American Exposition was a World's Fair held in Buffalo, New York, United States, from May 1 through November 2, 1901. The fair occupied of land on the western edge of what is present day Delaware Park, extending from Delaware Ave. to Elmwood Ave and northward to Great Arrow...
, including wine glasses, plates, playing cards, and the key to the Temple of Music
Temple of Music
The Temple of Music was a concert hall and auditorium built for the Pan-American Exposition which was held in Buffalo, New York, in 1901. U.S. President William McKinley was assassinated inside the building on September 6, 1901...
. The last room is a recreation of the Oval Office as it appeared during Roosevelt's Presidency, and includes an interactive desk which can be used to send e-mails to yourself.
Administrative history
The National Historic SiteNational Historic Sites (United States)
National Historic Sites are protected areas of national historic significance in the United States. A National Historic Site usually contains a single historical feature directly associated with its subject...
was authorized on November 2, 1966. As a historic area administered by the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
, it was automatically listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
the same day.
External links
- Official NPS website: Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
- Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Foundation
- Kasparian, Lance. Historic Structure Report: Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site. Washington, DC: National Parks Service, 2006. Accessed 7 December 2008.
- Hurst, Richard M. The Wilcox House. Buffalo, NY: Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, Adventures in Western New York History, volume XIX (downloadable from http://bechsed.nylearns.org/, click on Adventures in WNY History)
- Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site: Birthplace of the Modern Presidency, a National Park Service Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) lesson plan
- Ansley Wilcox House, 641 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, Erie County, NY: 7 photos and 13 data pages, at Historic American Building Survey