As American presidents go, none were more interesting than Teddy Roosevelt. Born and raised in New York City Teddy did as many wealthy people of the time did, he bought an estate in the country. In his case he purchased 155 acres along the North Shore of Long Island, near Oyster Bay. By 1887 a home was completed and Teddy moved in.
Today the estate is part of the National Park Service. As you arrive and park about 100 yards away at the visitor center, you approach the home from the rear therefore the first close up you get is of the ice house. Without refrigeration an ice house was an integral part of life.
Making our way around the exterior (once again we arrived somewhere that was closed to tours for the day) we were greeting with a view of an eagle sculpture on the side of the home.
When it was built in the late 1800s it was thought to be a very modern looking house.
On this closer view of the front you will note that a portion of the railing is missing. Teddy has this removed so he could more easily address crowds that regularly gathered on the front lawn.
The front porch is massive, and the awnings add to the comfort on a warm summer day even more.
The traditional entrance featured a porte cochere (carriage porch).
Our final view of the home provided an interesting perspective up the hill past the ice house to the main house. Note the numerous roof lines.
Nearby Teddy Roosevelt Jr later built his home.
The estate property goes all the way down the hill to Cold Spring Harbor. Sagamore Hill is a great place to spend a couple of hours – just try and time it when the house it open!
RDZ Photography 