“I wonder if you will ever know how much I love Sagamore Hill.”-Theodore Roosevelt to his Edith January 5, 1919 
What resonated with me today is how Sagamore Hill was truly a home to Theodore Roosevelt and his family. I could see the Christmas tree with presents, children and dad running barefoot in summertime, six children sliding down the staircase- or at the very least Quentin. I could imagine Theodore greeting his guests at the summer White House and then taking his daily break to play hide-n-go-seek with his kids. I could see everyone finding a book to read and being prepared for dinnertime discussion.
I imagine if I lived here, I’d never want to leave. Sitting on the wrap around front porch in the rocking chairs was so completely relaxing. I think visiting someone’s home reveals who they are. It is a window like no other.
At the Roosevelt museum I collected some quotes of Theodore Roosevelt and thought of creating a discussion around the quotes. 
The Many Roles of Theodore Roosevelt:
“For the last year I have preached war with Spain. I should feel distinctly ashamed… if I now failed to practice what I have preached” -Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge
“This is the last office I shall ever hold. I have offended so many powerful interests and so many powerful politicians that no political preferment will be possible for me.. It was the only course I could honestly pursue and I am willing to abide by the consequences.” Roosevelt as Police Commissioner, 1897
“We desire to make a man’s honesty and capacity to do the work to which he is assigned the sole tests of his appointment and retention- Roosevelt Atlantic Monthly July, 1892 Cleaning out the police department in New York.
“The enactment of a pure food law was a recognition that the public welfare outweighs the right to private gain, and that no man may poison the people for his private profit” -Address to Congress, 1909
“They often went barefoot…They swam, they tramped, they boated…they coasted and skated in winter, they were…friends with the cows, chickens, pigs, and other livestock”-Teddy Roosevelt writings
“As Vice-President I don’t see there is anything I could do. I would be simply a presiding officer and that I should find a bore.” -Theodore Roosevelt Letter to Thomas Platt February 1, 1900
“We are not attacking the coprorations, but endeavoring to do away with any evil in them.. We draw the line against misconduct, not against wealth” -Theodore Roosevelt Second Message to Congress, 1902
Day 10: Sagamore Hill: Home
June 13, 2010 by sheilasloan
Advertisement
Sheila, I agree that seeing someone’s home is truly a window into their soul. I think that’s well put! T. R.’s home left a footprint in my mind of a man I didn’t know a whole lot about. It was refreshing to learn that he was a devoted family man and a good husband. I had forgotten that he lost his first wife and his mother on the same day. I cannot imagine how tragic that must have been for him, but he persevered and in the end, came out on top! I think sometimes when we teach American history we are so busy giving facts and figures to our students that we forget to teach them about the person. Theodore Roosevelt would be a good one to teach students that a man (or woman) can be a president and still have a family and be remembered for other things, also. I enjoyed reading your blog about this fascinating man!