I’ve lived in Western New York all of my life, and I’ve never been to one of the most historic places in American history, until yesterday.

The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site on Delaware Avenue. It’s more than just a museum. It brings history alive with interactive displays that take you back to that tragic day in 1901 when Teddy Roosevelt was sworn in as president after the death of William McKinley.

It takes you back to the glory days when the focus of the world was on Buffalo during the Pan American Exposition, and it ended so horribly with McKinley’s assassination. The Roosevelt Inauguration site lets you experience the optimism of those times. You’ll stand in the room where Roosevelt was sworn in.

You’ll learn of the issues within the country and around the world that Roosevelt faced when he took office. And you’ll learn about the man himself. Anybody that cares anything about history has to take some time to visit this gem right here in Buffalo.

  • Roosevelt was 42 years old when he was sworn in, making him the youngest U.S. President.
  • He’s one of the four presidents whose profile is carved into Mount Rushmore. Can you name the others?
  • The teddy bear was named after Teddy Roosevelt.
  • Roosevelt brought a load of pets with him to the White House – a pony, sheep, dogs, cats, a macaw, guinea pigs, rats, even a snake.
  • His mother and his wife died in the same house on the same day.
  • He was the first president to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

You can find out a whole lot more at the place right here in Buffalo where Roosevelt became president. The Inaugural site is open daily, year round.

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