The Theodore Roosevelt Inauguration Site is a Buffalo landmark of deep historic significance to the history of the United States. While the site is a piece of history of one of America’s most famous and revered President’s not many people are aware of its existence. The Theodore Roosevelt Inauguration Site is a local Buffalo Landmark that has deep historical significance to the history of the United States Presidency. The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site and the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Foundation, a registered non-profit organization, through a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service, operate the Site. Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as the 26th President of the United States in Buffalo at the home of one of his associates, the local Buffalo lawyer Ansley Wilcox. To this day Roosevelt was the youngest President sworn in at the age of forty-two and one of the fourteen Vice Presidents who became President. After William McKinley’s assignation and death on September 14th Roosevelt was sworn in at 3:30 pm. During his two terms as President Roosevelt became known for his loud personality and demeanor and his policies on preservation. Roosevelt is credited for having the most influence in the preservation of National Parks, such as Delaware Park where the site is located.

The Pan-American Exposition The Pan-American Exposition was a World’s Fair held in Buffalo in 1901 from May 1st to November 2nd in the area between present day Delaware Park to Great Arrow Avenue. During the time the exposition was being formed there was a competition between Niagara Falls and Buffalo for who would host the Pan-American Exposition. Buffalo was chosen as the location over Niagara Falls because of the ease of access due to Buffalo’s many railroads. Buffalo was also chosen because of its large population. In 1901 Buffalo had a population of roughly thirty-five thousand people and was the eighth largest city in the United States. During his time as the Vice President, Roosevelt came to Buffalo for the first time in 1901 for the opening ceremonies of the Pan-American Exposition. The current President William McKinley was originally scheduled to attend but was unable to attend due to the illness of his wife Ida. President McKinley then rescheduled their visit to May and spoke to the crowd about the need for mutual understanding between the Western Hemisphere and to the rest of the world. McKinley returned to the Western New York area on September 6th of 1901. He was then assassinated by Leon Czolgoz while in the receiving line at the Temple of Music. Originally Roosevelt was to stay at the Iroquois Hotel when he met with his associate Ansley Wilcox, who invited him to stay at his home on Delaware Avenue. While staying at Wilcox’s home, Roosevelt met with the president's Cabinet, congressmen, and the press. After McKinley’s death on September 12th of 1901 Roosevelt was sworn in as the President of the United State at the Wilcox Mansion.

The History of the House The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site was originally built in 1840, as the officer’s headquarters for a United States Army installation called the Poinsett or what was also called the Buffalo Barracks. In 1883, Dexter Rumsey purchased the house as a wedding gift for his daughter, Mary Grace, for her marriage to Ansley Wilcox, a lawyer who was a native of Buffalo. The Wilcox family made the house their home from 1883 until 1933. It was during their time of owning the house that Theodore Roosevelt was inaugurated as President of the United States on September 14, 1901 following the assassination of President William McKinley. Ansley Wilcox died in 1930 and his wife in 1933 caused the house to be empty for years. The house was later sold to Oliver and Kathryn Lawrence, who decided to turn the house into a restaurant. After Kathryn Lawrence's death in 1959, the restaurant closed and the mansion staying opened was in doubt. Through the efforts of a community-wide campaign, the house was declared a National Historic Site by a law passed in Congress in 1966. It was then opened as a museum on September 14, 1971.

Restoration In 2009 the house went through a major renovation since the Wilcox Mansion's restoration in the late 1960s. Numerous improvements were made to the Roosevelt Site, including a visitor experience. The Roosevelt Site has a variety of interactive exhibits such as following Roosevelt as he arrives in Buffalo, takes the oath of office, writes his proclamation to the nation, and begins his presidency. Another part of the renovation was the recreation of the Wilcox Carriage House at its original placement. The renovations feature tinted glass, and provide enough space inside of the building for an elevator and handicapped restroom. The renovations also include a new admissions area, new museum store, and enough space for a large event. The site also has a climate-controlled storage area for the Roosevelt Site's historic collection. The second floor of the Theodore Roosevelt Site is available for private events. Smaller adjoining rooms in the Wilcox Mansion are also available for an additional fee. The maximum number of guests for a sit-down dinner is eighty-eight and approximately one-hundred and fifty for a stand-up reception. The Site offers access for handi-capped individuals and off-street parking. Guided tours along with the private events are available by special arrangement.

Events The Roosevelt Site holds many events related to the history of both Roosevelt and the house. On September 14th of 2010, one-hundred and five years after the inauguration of Roosevelt the Site held a reenactment of Roosevelt’s Inauguration speech. The site also offers many tours focusing on different aspects of history such as the history of the house, the history of Roosevelt and the Pan-American Exposition. The site also offers events for children. Events include bear facts where you can learn where the teddy .bears name originally came from.

'''Educational Events'' The Site also participates in events outside of the Roosevelt Site. Certain events include going to local schools and showing what life was like in the 19th century. The educational events are free of charge.

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[[Christopher Davis Web Publishing and Social Media Buffalo State College Maria Pabico]] [[Photos credited to Christopher Davis]