Celebrating our 27th Anniversary!
A Very Special Virtual Event on February 2, 2022, at 7 PM ET
The Friends of Sagamore Hill Proudly Presented
Making History On-Screen
On Wednesday, February 2, 2022, over 250 attendees witnessed an extraordinary live conversation (via Zoom) between acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns and
renowned historian and writer Geoffrey Ward discussing their many collaborations, including The Civil War, the making of The Roosevelts series, comparisons among the three Roosevelts they studied, their new series on The U. S. and the Holocaust, etc.
The discussion was moderated by distinguished historian and Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer.
Q&A with attendees followed the conversation.
If you are interested in purchasing books by Ken Burns, Geoffrey Ward and Harold Holzer, please use this link to Theodore's Books, and support a local independent bookstore: www.theodoresbooks.com
Admission to this very special virtual event was Free. However, since it is the Kick-off to our year-long Fundraising and Membership Drive, we asked all attendees to either become a Member of The Friends of Sagamore Hill or to make a Donation. Please click on the box below and contribute to our mission, whichever way you choose.
If you missed this event, you can view the video recording below.
Virtual Event: October 27, 2021
Authors in Conversation: Neil Lanctot and Susan Berfield
On Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at 7:00 PM ET, over 65 virtual attendees joined The Friends of Sagamore Hill (via Zoom) in celebrating Theodore Roosevelt's birthday with an informative and entertaining conversation between authors Neil Lanctot and Susan Berfield, discussing Neil's new book, The Approaching Storm: Roosevelt, Wilson, Addams, and Their Clash Over America’s Future.
In his book, Lanctot brings the early 20th century to vivid life and provides “a rich and rewarding portrait” (Kirkus) of three extraordinary leaders (Theodore Roosevelt, Jane Addams, and Woodrow Wilson) and how they agreed, quarreled, and ultimately split apart as they debated the role that the United States should play in the world.
Renowned journalist and author, Susan Berfield, whose book, The Hour of Fate, was named the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) book of the year for 2020, was the Moderator for this event.
At the end of the conversation, there was an equally informative Q&A session.
If you missed this event, you can view the video recording below.
Anyone interested in buying Neil Lanctot’s book, The Approaching Storm, please go to: https://bookshop.org/books/the-approaching-storm-roosevelt-wilson-addams-and-their-clash-over-america-s-future/9780735210592
Anyone interested in buying Susan Berfield’s book, The Hour of Fate, please go to: https://bookshop.org/books/the-hour-of-fate-theodore-roosevelt-j-p-morgan-and-the-battle-to-transform-american-capitalism/9781635572490
Virtual Event: June 10, 2021
Dr. Larry Cook, Presidential Historian
On Thursday, June 10, 2021, at 7:00 PM ET, over 50 virtual attendees joined The Friends of Sagamore Hill (via Zoom) for an informative and entertaining presentation by Dr. Larry Cook, Presidential Historian, "An Evening with The Presidents".
Dr. Cook offered little-known facts and stories about select presidents, including James Buchanan, Grover Cleveland, Herbert Hoover and, of course, Theodore Roosevelt. He presented rare memorabilia connected with each president covered.
At the end of the presentation, there was a lively and informative Q&A session.
If you missed this event, you can view the video recording below.
TR Inaugural Site Virtual Event: March 23, 2021
TR Inaugural Site: Speaker Nite with Laura Cinturati
In honor of Women's History Month, the TR Inaugural Site was pleased to welcome Laura Cinturati to its 2021 Speaker Nite series. Cinturati is a Museum Technician at Sagamore Hill NHS. Her topic was "Behind Every Great Man is a Great Woman: The Women who Influenced Theodore Roosevelt," and it proved to be a fascinating evening.
This event was co-sponsored by Sagamore Hill National Historic Site and The Friends of Sagamore Hill.
Virtual Event: February 25, 2021
Authors in Conversation: Harold Holzer and Geoffrey Ward
On Thursday, February 25, 2021, at 7:00 PM EST, over 60 virtual attendees joined The Friends of Sagamore Hill (via Zoom) for an informative and entertaining conversation between authors Harold Holzer and Geoffrey Ward, discussing Harold's recent book, The Presidents vs. The Press.
Acclaimed scholar Harold Holzer guided attendees through the clashes between chief executives (Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, TR of course, and FDR) and journalists, showing how these battles were waged and won. Renowned historian, Geoffrey Ward, was the Moderator for this event.
At the end of the conversation, there was a lively and informative Q&A session.
If you missed this event, you can view the video recording below.
Virtual Event: January 14, 2021
Teddy Roosevelt's Bigfoot Adventure
On Thursday, January 14, 2021, at 7:30 PM EST, 125 virtual attendees joined The Friends of Sagamore Hill, Cliff Barackman, Field Researcher for the North American Bigfoot Center, NPS Park Ranger Jeremy Hoyt, and Joe Wiegand, renowned Theodore Roosevelt reprisor, for our first Virtual Event of 2021!
In partnership with Cliff Barackman and the North American Bigfoot Center, the Friends of Sagamore Hill presented “Teddy Roosevelt’s Bigfoot Adventure”. Cliff led the discussions, exploring the history of Bigfoot sightings, and Theodore Roosevelt’s very own encounters that he wrote about in his famous book, “The Wilderness Hunter”. He also discussed some of the most irrefutable evidence to date.
At the end of the conversation, there was a lively and informative Q&A session.
If you missed this event, you can view the video recording below.
Christmas Virtual Event: December 15, 2020
Christmas Fun with Theodore Roosevelt
On Tuesday, December 15, 2020, at 7:30 PM EST, 125 virtual attendees joined The Friends of Sagamore Hill and Joe Wiegand, renowned Theodore Roosevelt reprisor, for some holiday cheer!
The event was free and was live on Zoom.
Attendees heard some of the old Roosevelt family Christmas stories, as well as some of the funniest Roosevelt stories throughout the years.
Joe has performed at the White House, has appeared on the History Channel, and the IMAX film, "National Parks Adventure", amongst his many highlights.
If you missed this event, you can view the video recording below.
Third Virtual Event: December 1, 2020
Authors in Conversation: Dan Abrams and David Fisher
On Tuesday, December 1, 2020, at 7 PM EST, an audience of 130 attended (via Crowdcast) an informative and entertaining conversation between authors Dan Abrams and David Fisher discussing their book, Theodore Roosevelt for the Defense.
This event was co-sponsored by The Friends of Sagamore Hill and Book Revue, Long Island's Largest Independent Bookstore.
Coauthors Dan Abrams and David Fisher presented a riveting snapshot of the American legal system, as the beloved former president fought to protect his legacy.
For this event, David Fisher acted as Moderator/Interviewer of Dan Abrams.
Second Virtual Event: October 27, 2020
Authors in Conversation: Burt Solomon and Susan Berfield
On Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at 7 PM EDT, an audience of 97 attended (via Crowdcast) what turned out to be a fascinating and entertaining conversation between authors Burt Solomon and Susan Berfield.
The event was co-hosted by The Friends of Sagamore Hill and book publisher, Macmillan.
Burt Solomon covered the White House for National Journal, winning the Gerald R. Ford Prize for Distinguished Reporting on the Presidency. He has written three nonfiction books about aspects of U.S. history. He is a contributing editor at The Atlantic. This is his second novel.
The Attempted Murder of Teddy Roosevelt is based on a real-life event. Around 10:15 in the morning of September 3, 1902, President Roosevelt was finishing up a campaign tour of New England. Leaving Pittsfield, Massachusetts, his horse-drawn carriage was broadsided by an electric trolley; his bodyguard was killed, and TR was thrown 30 or 40 feet. The history books assume it was an accident. In this story, an attempted assassination. Or so TR believes, and he assigns John Hay, his “fallible, engaging” (by Booklist’s account) secretary of state, to investigate his many enemies.
Susan Berfield is the author of the recently published, The Hour of Fate, Theodore Roosevelt, J.P. Morgan and the Battle to Transform American Capitalism, and was the featured author in our first Virtual Event in September 2020 (see below). For this event, she acted as Moderator.
At the end of the conversation, there was a lively and informative Q&A session.
If you missed this event, you can view the video recording below.
First Virtual Event: September 17, 2020
Authors in Conversation, plus Joe Wiegand (TR Reprisor)
The Friends of Sagamore Hill were excited to present our first Virtual Event ever!
The event was co-hosted by book publisher, Bloomsbury.
On Thursday, September 17, 2020, at 7 PM EDT, over 80 attendees (via Zoom) witnessed a fascinating conversation between Susan Berfield, author of the recently published, The Hour of Fate, Theodore Roosevelt, J.P. Morgan and the Battle to Transform American Capitalism, and Clay Risen, the author of The Crowded Hour, a book published last year about TR, the Rough Riders and American Foreign Policy.
At the end of the conversation, and after a Q&A session, there was also a guest appearance by Joe Wiegand, renowned Theodore Roosevelt reprisor.
If you missed this event, you can view the video recording below.
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
About "The Crowded Hour"
When America declared war on Spain in 1898, the US Army had just 26,000 men—hardly an army at all. In desperation, the Rough Riders were born. A unique group of volunteers led by Theodore Roosevelt, helped secure victory in Cuba in a series of bloody fights across the island. Roosevelt called the Battle of San Juan Hill his “crowded hour”—a turning point that led directly to the White House. “The instant I received the order,” wrote Roosevelt, “I sprang on my horse and then my ‘crowded hour’ began.” As The Crowded Hour reveals, it was a turning point for America as well, uniting the country and ushering in a new era of global power.
Now available in paperback!
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.