Celebrating our 28th Anniversary!
Recent In-Person Gable Lecture by Michael Cullinane
The Friends of Sagamore Hill celebrated TR's Birthday
On Thursday, October 27, 2022, at 7:00 PM ET, approximately 60 attendees joined The Friends of Sagamore Hill in celebrating Theodore Roosevelt's birthday with an informative and entertaining presentation by Michael Cullinane, discussing Theodore Roosevelt and the Tennis Cabinet, delivered at Christ Church Parish Hall in Oyster Bay, NY. This was the first in-person Gable Lecture presented by The Friends in three years.
Cullinane examined some of the officials that collaborated with TR to make his administration a success. and explained why reviving their contribution to American politics demonstrates how Roosevelt’s administration really worked.
Michael Patrick Cullinane is Professor of U.S. History and the Lowman Walton Chair in Theodore Roosevelt Studies at Dickinson State University in North Dakota. He is the author of the award-winning Theodore Roosevelt’s Ghost: The History and Memory of an Icon and Remembering Theodore Roosevelt: Reminiscences of his Contemporaries. He is currently working on a book-length project that explores the so-called Roosevelt tennis cabinet of informal advisors.
After the lecture, Cullinane's book, Remembering Theodore Roosevelt, was available for purchase and signing by the author. The books were provided by Theodore's Books (https://www.theodoresbooks.com/)
Also after the lecture, there was a celebration of TR's birthday, with Roosevelt family culinary treats, and a birthday cake!
Constitution Day was Saturday, September 17th!
FOSH Celebrated Constitution Day
On September 17, 1787, The Constitution of the United States was signed by the state representatives to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. To celebrate this historic event, The Friends of Sagamore Hill handed out free pocket-sized Constitutions to over 125 visitors to our table at the Sagamore Hill picnic area under the tent.
The FOSH Board was out in force
This photo shows our display table in the foreground with Board members (l to r) Patrick Teubner, Ginny Perrell and Brother Lawrence Syriac. Other Board members who showed up and helped out included Charlotte Miska, Jay Perrell and Scott Tepper.
Free Pocket-sized Constitutions
This photo is a close-up of our display table including pocket-sized Constitutions, FOSH brochures and American flags.
A Friends Sponsored Event: Teddy's Homecoming Jubilee on July 3, 2022
‘Teddy’s Homecoming Jubilee’ was hosted by The Friends of Sagamore Hill and the Oyster Bay Main Street Association, in partnership with the Town of Oyster Bay. Famed Theodore Roosevelt Reprisor Joseph Wiegand arrived at the Oyster Bay stop on the Long Island Rail Road, from which he headed to the Oyster Bay Rail Road Museum. He then was driven in an antique 1900s-era classic car, arriving at the bandstand to reenact President Roosevelt’s famous 1903 Independence Day speech.
“We are so pleased to partner with the Oyster Bay Main Street Association and The Friends of Sagamore Hill to welcome home our most famous resident, President Theodore Roosevelt,” said Town Clerk LaMarca.
Following the reenactment of the President’s speech, residents were invited to join President Roosevelt for a ‘meet and greet’ at Teddy’s Bully Bar on Audrey Avenue. The establishment offered signature cocktails celebrating President Roosevelt, with a portion of proceeds going to The Friends of Sagamore Hill.
Special Event in 2019
Special Event at Book Revue in Huntington, NY
In conjunction with
The Friends of Sagamore Hill,
The Institute of Politics and Global Affairs at Cornell University, and Long Island University
Book Revue presented
Deputy op-ed editor at The New York Times Clay Risen (pictured left)
In conversation with Former U.S. Congressman Steve Israel
Discussing Risen’s new book
The Crowded Hour
Thursday, September 26th at 7pm
Book Revue
313 New York Ave.
Huntington, NY 11743
A Well-Received and Well-Attended Event
Approximately 50 people attended this event and were rewarded with an incredibly interesting exchange between Clay Risen and Steve Israel (pictured left) about, not only Theodore Roosevelt, but also American foreign policy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and specifics on the make up of the Rough Riders themselves. A lively Q&A session followed with the audience, and the finale was a book signing by Clay Risen.
Past Special Event: Dog Day 2013
Sagamore Hill's Dog Day was held on Sunday, April 21 2013, 11-4pm.
Theodore Roosevelt would have felt very much at home at Sagamore Hill on Sunday. The grounds of the animal-loving president’s permanent residence were filled with barking dogs and their families during the historic site's Dog Day. Sponsored by the Friends of Sagamore Hill, Dog Day was the organization’s kick off to National Park Week. More than 150 dog owners brought their four-legged friends to the park to enjoy activities, contests, food for humans and dogs as well as special performances and training sessions. “The goal of the whole day is to promote responsible dog care and dog walking,” said Friends of Sagamore Hill Board Member Virginia Perrell, of Westbury. Sagamore Hill is one of the few parks on Long Island that invites guests to bring leashed pets onto its grounds. The Long Island Dog Owners Group, a non-profit founded to advocate for dog parks and allowing leashed pets into Long Island parks, was invited to Dog Day to educate visitors on the importance of exercising dogs and leashing pets.
Dog Day drew a capacity crowd.
There were almost as many dogs present as there where humans. Many families came with two dogs, some with three and one family had four greyhounds. Staff, volunteers and members of the Friends Board were busy from 10:30 am until nearly 5:00 pm, seeing that every visitor had a good time. Children were busy making dog treats under the supervision of volunteer Teresa Kepertis. Park Guide Danielle Summa had made a bingo game using presidential dogs that kept adults and children scanning all the animals in order to win a bingo prize, a dog pencil. Debbie Bulck, bookstore manager was busy selling souvenirs and awarding Junior Ranger badges to children that earned them.
Dog Day Activities
Dog Day activities began at 11 a.m. and included costume contests, dog treat making and nature walks through the grounds led by park naturalists. The highlight of the day was a dog training presentation by Rick Caran, of Huntington, who gained international attention for training his Yorkshire Terrier, Jilli, to play poker. Caran was joined on stage by two of the four members of his traveling show, Team Jilli Dog – Ruby, a Teacup Yorkshire Terrier and Spidey, a rescued Chihuahua. The dogs performed stage tricks, including a one-on-one doggie basketball game, to an amazed crowd of children, adults and their pets.