National Historic Site
This site was the home of Theodore Roosevelt for the first fourteen years of his life. The building on the site is a 1923 reconstruction of the house in which Roosevelt was born on October 27, 1858.
Roosevelt's political career began with one term as a New York State Assemblyman (1882-1884), where he became known as an outspoken opponent of political corruption. From 1889 to 1895 he was member of the United States Civil Service Commission. After two years as President of the New York Board of Police Commissioners (1895-1897) Roosevelt was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy (1897-1898).
While serving as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, the Spanish American War broke out and Roosevelt joined the battle in Cuba with his own regiment of Rough Riders. His courageous charge up San Juan Hill earned him great acclaim and the popular war hero became Governor of New York State from 1898 until 1901.
Governor Roosevelt's support for various progressive business and labor reforms brought him into conflict with the New York Republican Party's conservative leadership. To diminish dissention, party boss Thomas Platt engineered Roosevelt's nomination as the Republican candidate for vice-president in 1900. With the assassination of President William McKinley in September, 1901, Theodore Roosevelt suddenly became the twenty-sixth President of the United States on September 14, 1901.
VISITATION:
Highest in April and May; lowest in February and March. In 1996 -- 37,334 visitors.
LOCATION:
28 East 20th Street between Broadway and Park Avenue South, New York City (Manhattan), NY
ADDRESS:
28 East 20th Street
New York, NY 10003
TELEPHONE:
(212)260-1616
(212)677-3587 (FAX)
E-Mail: MASI_THRB@nps.gov
OPERATING HOURS:
9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Closed National Holidays.
Tours on the hour; last tour at 4:00 p.m.
CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
Summers hot and humid. Light clothing. Winters cold. Heavy outerwear required.
DIRECTIONS:
Parking in mid town Manhattan is extremely limited and extremely expensive. Driving is not recommended. Use of mass transit is preferable.
Transportation:
Lexington Avenue #6 subway trains stop at the East 23rd Street station on Park Avenue South. N and R subway trains stop at the East 23rd Street station on Broadway; frequent service is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Frequent bus service is provided by routes M-6 and M-7 on Broadway, by route M-1 on Park Avenue South and by route M-23 operating cross town on 23rd Street; service is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
FEES, COSTS, RATES:
Admission to Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace is $2.00 per person or by valid NPS pass. People under the age of 17 are admitted free. Visitors may purchase Golden Eagle or Golden Age passes at the site. Golden Access passes are available for qualified recipients.
FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Center/Exhibits:
Five period rooms are furnished and decorated as they were during Roosevelt's occupancy. An extensive museum depicts the life and accomplishments of Theodore Roosevelt.
Trails/Roads:
None.
Programs/activities:
Ranger-led programs and tours are offered throughout the day on the hour.
Lodging and camping facilities:
None in park. Abundant lodging facilities available throughout New York City and suburbs.
Food/supplies:
Abundant food and dining facilities available throughout the immediate neighborhood.
Other Concessions/NPS-managed visitor facilities and opportunities:
A small museum shop is operated at the site.
Accessibility:
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace is not accessible to the mobility impaired.
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
View the introductory video program. Join a ranger for a program describing the life of Theodore Roosevelt. View the museum exhibits.
RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
School groups and tour groups desiring a guided tour should make advance reservations by contacting a ranger at (212)260-1616 at least two weeks in advance. Commercial filming and after hours use require a Special Use Permit issued in advance; for information call (212)825-6883.
BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
Ranger-led programs and tours last 30 minutes.
SPECIAL EVENTS/PROGRAMS:
Concerts are given Saturdays and some Sundays at 2:00 p.m. during the fall, winter and spring. Call (212)260-1616 for information.
ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
Empire State Building, Greenwich Village, United Nations.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Write: Superintendent, Federal Hall National Memorial, 26 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005; call (212)260-1616.