7 Things To Do in Oyster Bay

Postcard Courtesy of the Oyster Bay Historical Society

C&T's Empire Insider will give you the ins and outs of what to do, what to see, and where to see it in all corners of New York state.

Originally posted in AAA's Car & Travel, July/August 2015 

AAA.com/EmpireInsider
By: Andrew G. Rosen

Oyster Bay is often revered as the crown jewel of the opulent North Shore. With deep historical ties, including President Theodore Roosevelt taking up residence in the region, it’s no wonder the area is consistently a must-visit for Northeasterners. The stellar water quality of Oyster Bay helps produce mouth-watering oysters, representing up to 90 percent of the oysters and up to 40 percent of the hard clams harvested in all of New York State.

Planting Fields Greenhouse
Photo by Meredith Maus

1. With over 400 acres of rolling lawns and woodland paths, Planting Fields Arboretum offers a gorgeous collection of horticulture, much of which is unique to the area. Coming soon is the new “sensory garden” where an interactive pool and sheltered outdoor room promise to deliver tranquility and beauty to all who visit.

Sailboats loading at the WFC
Photo by Meredith Maus

2. Once a hub for manufacturing WWII minesweepers for the U.S. Navy, The WaterFront Center is now an environmental education and recreation not- for-profit community center. After renting a kayak or paddleboard, be sure to check out the historic Christeen, the oldest surviving oyster sloop in North America (sunset and harbor sails are offered).

Sagamore Hill NHS
Photo by Meredith Maus

3. One visit and it’s easy to understand why Theodore Roosevelt, the only U.S. president born in New York City, made Sagamore Hill his “summer White House.” Technically in Cove Neck, east of Oyster Bay Cove, the recently rehabilitated home (as of press time, expected to re-open in mid-July) serves up a slice of history.

Flight Tasting at OBBC
Photo by Meredith Maus

4. The nautical-themed tasting room at the Oyster Bay Brewing Company is standing room only, but after a craft beer flight, who cares! Watch them brew their hoppy IPA or crisp amber ale on premises or fill up your empty growler and enjoy from the comfort of home.

Photo Courtesy Audubon New York

5. Originally designed to provide a protected environment for songbirds in the 1920s, the 12-acre Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center was donated to the public by the president’s cousins in his name. Visitors leave with a greater respect for the natural world after enjoying hands-on environmental education programs.

Photo Courtesy Oyster Fest Facebook

6. We had to talk about the oysters, no? The annual Oyster Festival (Oct. 17–18, 2015) attracts over 200,000 people who partake in oysters— raw, fried and stewed. As the East Coast’s largest waterfront festival, you’ll find entertainment, rides, crafts and over 60 food options (just in case oysters aren’t your thing).

Photo by Meredith Maus

7. Rooted in the community since the early 1900s, Bonanza’s is more than your average walk-up snack window. Enjoy a chili dog (it’s boiled!), gooey cheese fries and cool off with creative homemade Italian ice flavors such as margarita, PB&J and cake batter. No wonder this place has been a community staple for generations.

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site Re-Opening!

Sagamore Hill, Photograph taken by Meredith Maus

Oyster Bay, New York - The main house at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site has been closed to visitors since December 4, 2011.  In the past four years - while the grounds, Visitor Center, and Theodore Roosevelt Museum at Old Orchard have remained open - the 26th President's former home underwent a $10 million renovation.

The pain-staking renovation may not be noticeable to returning visitors - and this is exactly the point.

All of the books, hunting trophies, and furniture were removed from the massive three-story and 28 room mansion during the renovation - which included replacing the roof, repairing the foundation, and rewiring the home's electrical system - and then replaced exactly where they had been.

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site during Renovation
Photograph by Meredith Maus

"We hope that if he walked

through the front door right

now, he would think he was

back during the presidential

years."

- Susan Sarna

Museum Curator

The home is now slated to open its doors again to the public and a grand re-opening celebration has been organized by the staff to commemorate this momentous occasion!

Come one, Come All!

To the Re-opening Celebration & Family Festival! 

Sunday, July 12, 2015 starting at 10 am

• Reopening address to be presented by Roosevelt family members, public officials, and an appearance by Theodore Roosevelt (portrayed by James Foote)
• 10 AM - Tale of Two Teddies - Children's book author, Kathleen Bart will be signing books in the book store
• 11 AM to 4 PM - Children's Activities
• Arts & Crafts
• Old-Fashioned Games
• Pony Rides
• Rough Rider Enlistment
• 1 PM - "Rough Riders" Cavalry Demonstration
• 2 PM - Sagamore Hill Band - Under the direction of Steve Walker
• 11 AM to 4 PM - Other Performances Demonstrations & Services
• Long Island Band Organ under direction of Michael Falco
• Interactive Photobooth provided by Baltimore Photo Social
• Historic Carriages displayed by Paumanok Driving Club
• Antique Automobiles displayed by Long Island Sound Region: Classic Car Club
• Food & Refreshements will be available through vendors on site

Sagamore Hill's gateway community - Oyster Bay - is also busy prepping for the event.  Trolly service will be available from the LIRR station and other parking locations in the downtown to Sagamore Hill to help cut down on congestion at the hill.  Great restaurants and businesses will be open for those interested in making it a whole day affair!

Best of Long Island - Support our Local Businesses, Organizations, & Service Providers!

The 10th Annual Bethpage Best of Long Island!

The voting period is now open.  Voting is permitted once a day until December 15th!

Vote to let everyone know all that the downtown of Oyster Bay has to offer! 

Nominees from Oyster Bay:

click on the links to vote!

            Arts & Entertainment

o   Annual Event/ Festival – Oyster Bay Oyster Festival, New York AutoFest

o   Celebrity Impersonator – James Foote/ Theodore Roosevelt

o   Museum – Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

o   Public Garden – Planting Fields Arboretum

Automotive

o   Foreign Auto Dealership – BMW of Oyster Bay

o   Long Island Collectible Car Club – New York AutoFest

o   Motorcycle Shop – 20^th Century Motorcycles

Education

o   Catholic School – St. Dominic College Prepatory High School

o   School Principal – Cecilia St. John, St. Dominic’s Elementary School

Health, Wellness & Beauty

o   Assisted Living - Harbor House; Oyster Bay Manor

o   Day Spa – Blue Water Spa

o   Skin Care – Blue Water Spa

Home & Garden

o   Appliance Store – Appliance World

o   Architect – Oyster Bay Drafting

o   Barbeque Store – Appliance World

o   Roofing Company – Oyster Bay Roofing

Nightlife & Spirits

o   Craft Beer Brewery – Oyster Bay Brewery

Services

o   Dry Cleaning Services – GreenSleeves Cleaners

o   Environmental Organization – Friends of the Bay

o   Gold Buyer – Coin Galleries of Oyster Bay

o   Republican – John Venditto

o   Taxi Service – Oyster Rides Taxi; Oyster Bay Limousine & Taxi

Shopping

o   Antique Store – The Attic Door

Sports & Activity

o   Recreation Center – Oyster Bay Community Center

o   Skate Shop – L-Industrie Long Boards

o   Water Sport Rental – The WaterFront Center

Weddings

o   Honey Moon Travel Planner - Cruise Planners; Oyster Bay Travel

How I Love Sagamore Hill - Exhibit Open until Sunday June 9th!

The Oyster Bay Historical Society opens its spring exhibition with the fine art photographic series Theodore Roosevelt – “How I Love Sagamore Hill” by Xiomáro (pronounced SEE-oh-MAH-ro), a Long Island artist. Xiomáro photographed the interiors of the President’s house at what is now Sagamore Hill National Historic Site. The collection of over 140 photographs was created last year during the removal of the mansion’s contents and furnishings as part of a three-year, $6.2 million structural rehabilitation by the National Parks Service. The debut exhibit features 20 photographs from the collection with each image uniquely titled so that a poetic narrative unfolds about TR and his household. The photographs remain on view at the Society’s Koenig Center through June 2. The exhibit then travels to Harvard University for a year-long display with plans to invite documentary filmmaker Ken Burns as a speaker.

Free Photo eBook

The artist is also offering a free photo eBook, based on the exhibit, at his website: www.xiomaro.com. The website includes information on viewing hours and a series of free gallery talks presented by the artist.

Rarely Seen Views

Theodore Roosevelt’s famed “North Room” by Xiomaro

The photographs show the house in a historically rare condition in that the 22 room mansion, usually chock full of furnishings and mementos, was nearly vacant. Yet, “so much of the Roosevelt family’s personality is revealed by the house,” said Xiomáro, “even though its occupants – and now most of its contents – are absent from the premises.” Images from the exhibition reveal not just the imposing character of America’s 26th President, but also the more intimate domestic nature of his family, such as the textured sconce globes of Edith Roosevelt’s drawing room. “Some of these details,” continued Xiomáro, “may have previously been overwhelmed by a room’s furnishing, or inaccessible to visitors behind velvet rope barriers.”  The artist produced a video with commentary from staff at the Historical Society and Sagamore Hill as well as from Elizabeth Roosevelt, a descendant of the President.

Sagamore Hill offers tour of Theodore Roosevelt's Oyster Bay, Sunday, 2/19, 2pm

Oyster Bay– Join Park Ranger Howard Ehrlich on Sunday, February 19, 2012 on an easy walk through historic Oyster Bay. The walk will highlight the major sites in the hamlet connected to Theodore Roosevelt and his family. The one hour program is free and begins at 2:00 p.m. in the Long Island Railroad parking lot at the Oyster Bay station. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather.

Roosevelts’ have lived in Oyster Bay since the 1860s. In 1885, Theodore Roosevelt built Sagamore Hill two and a half miles east of the hamlet center. Oyster Bay came to national prominence when Theodore Roosevelt became the 26th President of the United States. Roosevelt frequented Oyster Bay for goods, services, transportation and business. The ranger guided walk will highlight the major locations and structures in the hamlet connected to Theodore Roosevelt and his family. The walk is one of the best ways for visitors to become acquainted with the rich history of a presidential tour just a stone’s throw away Sagamore Hill, Theodore Roosevelt’s “Summer White House.”

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, located at 12 Sagamore Hill Road, Oyster Bay, New York, is a unit of the National Park Service.  The site was established by Congress in 1962 to preserve and interpret the structures, landscape, collections and other cultural resources associated with Theodore Roosevelt’s home in Oyster Bay, New York, and to ensure that future generations understand and appreciate the life and legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, his family and the significant events associated with him. NOTE: The Roosevelt Home was closed to the public for a two- to three-year period beginning December 5, 2011 due to a major rehabilitation of the home.  However, the Visitor Center, Theodore Roosevelt Museum at Old Orchard and the grounds will continue to be open and free interpretive programs will be offered.  For further information, visit our website at www.nps.gov/sahi, or call 516-922-4788. Be sure to follow us on twitter for updates at http://twitter.com/SagamoreHillNHS and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sagamore-Hill-National-Historic-Site/127271867334480

Christmas with the Roosevelts’ at Sagamore Hill, 12/3, 11am-4pm

Christmas with the Roosevelts’ at Sagamore Hill

Oyster Bay, NY: On Saturday, December 3, 2011 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sagamore Hill National Historic Site will hostChristmas with the Roosevelts at Sagamore Hill. Activities will include holiday music performed on a harp and flute byMusica Dolce, Christmas carols sung by Close Enough, and original and seasonal poems read by the Nassau County Poet Laureate Society. Finally a very special appearance by “Theodore Roosevelt,” as portrayed by James Foote, will share his reminiscences of how the Roosevelts celebrated Christmas at Sagamore Hill and White House. Ranger-guided tours of the Roosevelt Home will feature information about Christmases past and the festivities that the family enjoyed. Complimentary hot cider and cocoa will be provided by the Friends of Sagamore Hill.

-NPS-

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, located at 12 Sagamore Hill Road, Oyster Bay, New York, is a unit of the National Park Service.  The site was established by Congress in 1962 to preserve and interpret the structures, landscape, collections and other cultural resources associated with Theodore Roosevelt’s home in Oyster Bay, New York, and to ensure that future generations understand and appreciate the life and legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, his family and the significant events associated with him. Tours of the home are limited to fourteen persons and are offered on the hour on Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Tour tickets are five dollars each and tickets are sold on a first-come-first-served basis each day beginning at 9 a.m. NOTE: The Roosevelt Home will be closing to the public for a three year period beginning December 5, 2011 due to a major rehabilitation of the home, however the Visitor Center, Theodore Roosevelt Museum at Old Orchard and the grounds will continue to be open and free interpretive programs will be offered.The grounds of Sagamore Hill are open year round from dawn to dusk. For further information, visit our website atwww.nps.gov/sahi, or call 516-922-4788. Be sure to follow us on twitter for updates at http://twitter.com/SagamoreHillNHS.

Plein Air Competition at Sagamore Hill NHS, September 9 and 10, 2011

Please note that this event originally scheduled for August 26 and 27, has been rescheduled for September 9 and 10 on account of the weather.

Plein Air Competition at Sagamore Hill September 9 & 10

Teaching Studios 1st Annual Plein Air Competition is being held at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site in Oyster Bay, New York - a setting with over 83 acres of beautiful landscape, as well as the last home of Theodore Roosevelt, a 23 room Victorian structure of frame and brick.

The historic site is located on the beautiful Gold Coast of northern Long Island.
Entry is by application only, and is limited to a selection of 35 artists. We seek to assemble the best 35 Plein Air painters possible, in one location, and let beautiful paintings happen. There will be several awards given out for those who make paintings of distinction.




CALENDAR 2011
Please review carefully
May 20- Online applications accepted
July 16- Deadline for Applications
July 23- Selected participants announced via email
September 9- Competition Commences
September 10- Competition Ends at 4pm
September 10- 7-9pm Exhibition of selected works
and prizes awarded.

JURORS
Bennett Vadnais, Plein Air Instructor and Artist, the Teaching Studios of Art
Jane McGraw Teubner, Pastel Painting Instructor and Artist, the Teaching Studios of Art

AWARDS
Main prize:
$1000 award given to the best overall painting, as decided by our jurors.
Runners Up:
•Best Oil painting
•Best Pastel painting
•Best Water Media painting
Each of these receive a $150 gift certificate from Utrecht Art Supply
This event will take place rain or shine.

ELIGIBILITY
Open to all plein air artists. Jurors will select participants using one criteria: quality of work.

ENTRIES
35 artists selected
The deadline for submissions is Saturday, July 16 (5pm EST).
There is a non-refundable $35 application fee.
3 images of the artist’s best work must be submitted in .jpg format

EXHIBITION
Selected works will be exhibited at the Oyster Bay Historical Society, in their new art gallery at the Koenig Center. There will be an artist’s reception and an awards ceremony on Saturday September 10, from 7-9pm. Work will be made available for sale, with a percentage of proceeds going to benefit the Historical Society.

ABOUT THE JURORS
Bennett Vadnais studied classical drawing and painting at the Bougie Studio, MN, the Water Street Atelier, NY, and the Art Students League of New York. He has won two of the most prestigious awards that the Art Students League of New York grants its members: the McDowell Travel Grant and the Xavier Gonzalez Travel Grant. Vadnais has done various landscape workshops around Long Island and New York City, and has earned a reputation for excellence in teaching. Before joining the Teaching Studios, he previously taught at the Long Island Academy of Fine Art. He has exhibited in galleries in New York City and nationally. He was recently profiled in the Fall 2010 issue of American Artist Workshop magazine.

Jane McGraw-Teubner has achieved the honored rank of Master Pastel Artist, awarded by the Pastel Society of America. She is also on the Board of Directors for the Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art
Club and a Resident Artist in the Salmagundi Art Club in Manhattan. She studied with pastel artists Jeff Webb, Frank Federico, Albert Handell, Anita Louise West, Larry Blovits, Richard McKinley and at the Art Students League with Richard Pionk. She exhibits in galleries in New York City and the metropolitan area. She teaches pastel painting for the Teaching Studios of Art.

Live Demonstrations

Utrecht Artist-in-Residence Joe Gyurcsak will be doing a plein air demonstration on day 2 of the event. Saturday, September 10, 11am-2pm. Free and open to the public.
Rob Zeller, Bennett Vadnais and Jane McGraw-Teubner will all be painting during the event, as well, (for enjoyment and not for competition).
Itinerary for the Event
Friday September 9
9am:
Check in at parking lot of Sagamore Hill.
Canvases checked and stamped. Maximum size: 16 x 20
Promotional supplies from American Artist Magazine will be distributed to each artist (yes, goodies for everyone). Use of these materials during the competition is optional. American Artist would like feedback from anyone who uses the materials during the competition, though.
Artists are free to paint anywhere on the preserve. Please budget enough time to get where you are going. This is a very large preserve. To reach the coastal area can take up to a 15-20 minute hike.
Park closes at dusk, but artists are asked to leave by 5pm.

Lectures at the Teaching Studios of Art in Oyster Bay (free and open to the public)
The Barbizon Painters, 8:00- 9:00pm Rob Zeller
The Russian Landscape Artists, 9:00-10:00pm Bennett Vadnais

Saturday, September 10
9am: Artist assemble in the parking lot and head out to their respective locations.
4pm: Drop off completed works, at Oyster Bay Historical Society- Koenig Center, 20 Summit Street
Oyster Bay NY 11771
4:15-5:15pm Curating of show and judging of works.
5:15- 6:15pm hanging of show
6:30-7:00pm Teaching Studios and Historical Society Member Preview
7:00- 9:00pm Exhibition of works open to the public.

Exhibition:
All work must be framed. No larger than 16 x 20. Artists will receive a 50% commission on any work sold.

Special thanks to:
Oyster Bay Historical Society
Utrecht Artist Supplies
American Artist Magazine
Sagamore Hill National Preserve
This event was created and is managed by:
The Teaching Studios of Art
115 Irving Ave. Oyster Bay, NY 11771
516.558.7367
www.teachingstudios.com

Pearls of Oyster Bay Award Winners Announced

The “Pearl of Oyster Bay” was awarded to Sagamore Hill National Historic Site this week, one of 19 sites in the area elected by the community as a "Pearl of Oyster Bay". Sagamore Hill, family home of President Theodore Roosevelt, was designated a unit of the National Park Service System in 1962 and welcomes more than 50,000 visitors from the community and around the world who visit the Roosevelt Home and grounds each year.

Accepting the award on behalf of Sagamore Hill NHS are Thomas E. Ross, Superintendent and Sherry Justus, Chief of Interpretation, Visitor Services and Natural Resources. Pictured above left to right are Jerelyn Hanrahan, Artist of the Graduated Pearls Project , Sherry Justus, Tom Ross and Tracy Dellomo, Graduated Pearl Committee Member and Board Member of the Oyster Bay Main Street Association.

The sculpture project now has an underwriting sponsor, Superior Concrete of Brooklyn owned by local resident Constance Cincotta. The 20x40 foot pearl necklace sculpture will be cast in concrete supplied by Superior Concrete. The project has also been funded by an initial grant by the Oyster Bay Main Street Association and the New York Foundation for the Arts. The project, however is still in need of funding to bring it to completion. Interested donors should contact Jerelyn Hanrahan at Atelier Gallery 516-205-0907 for more information.

Other sites receiving recognition as "Pearls of the Community" in addition to Sagamore Hill, include The Waterfront, and Friends of the Bay. More "Pearls of the Community" still await to be announced.


Dawn Riley of Oakcliff Sailing Center and David Waldo of The WaterFront Center accept a pearl on behalf of the waterfront.



Pat Aitken, Executive Director, accepting a pearl on behalf of Friends of the Bay


Presentation of a pearl to Harriet Gerard Clark, Executive Director of Raynham Hall Museum.
Pearl presentation to William Miller and Mary Abbene of The Printery on West Main Street.

Another pearl presentation to Gooseberry Grove on East Main Street.

Nobman's Hardware accepting a pearl with Derrick Nobman, 4th generation to own and operate the business.
And, finally, St. Dominic's Chapel, another pearl of the community.

Spend a Day in Oyster Bay, Attractions open Friday-Sunday, 10am-4pm, Memorial Day to Labor Day

The Oyster Bay Railroad Museum is pleased to announce the "Spend A Day In Oyster Bay" tourist program, which will run from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10AM to 4PM. Whether arriving by train, boat or automobile, tourists will be able to spend an enjoyable day in one of the most picturesque and historic areas on the north shore of Long Island. The program's goal is to market and promote the area historical, cultural, and retail establishments, thereby making Oyster Bay a destination for families, tourists, and visitors.

The "Spend A Day" program is featured in the Long Island Rail Road 2011 "Long Island Getaways" package which includes discounted round trip rail fare and local ground transport provided by Oyster Ride's minivans. The van loop includes the major attractions: Oyster Bay Railroad Museum, Planting Fields Arboretum/Coe Hall, Sagamore Hill, Theodore Roosevelt Bird Sanctuary and Young's Memorial Cemetery. Also included is the use of "electronic wands" for a self-guided audio walking tour to the many historical attractions in the downtown, including the Oyster Bay Historical Society/Earle Wightman House, Raynham Hall Museum, Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park, and the Waterfront Center.

Tourists will begin their day at the Railroad Museum's Visitor Center, located a 102 Audrey Ave. Here they will receive a complimentary gift bag, a "Spend A Day" value package which includes discount coupons to participating restaurants and retail merchants, historical locations, and area maps.

The program, a long-held goal of many organizations to capitalize on the potential of Oyster Bay as a viable historical destination, is a collaborative effort of the Railroad Museum, Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce, Oyster Bay Main Street Association, LIRR, and the organizations mentioned above. For more information, visit the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum's website at www.obrm.org., or call 516-558-7036 .

Sagamore Hill Announces Memorial Day Weekend Activities

Oyster Bay, NY: On Memorial Day, May 30th, the Sagamore Hill Band will conduct a special performance at 2:00pm on the front porch of Theodore Roosevelt’s Home. The Sagamore Hill Band will perform patriotic music along with a special performance of the Golden Star in honor of Quentin Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt’s youngest son, who died in combat July 14, 1918. The Golden Star was composed by John Philip Sousa in March 1919, and was dedicated to Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt and other Gold Star mothers of the First World War. This is a free event with no reservations required. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

In addition, a special Memorial Day weekend program will be offered titled the Roosevelt Family and their Sacrifices during the First World War. This free program will be presented by Park Ranger Scott Gurney inside the Farm Shed adjacent to the Visitor Center. The program will be presented on Saturday, May 28th and Sunday, May 29th at 2:00PM. This program will also be presented on Monday, May 30th at 1:00pm.

Summer Schedule: On Memorial Day weekend Sagamore Hill moves to its summer schedule: Open seven days per week. Tours of the home are offered on the top of the hour from 10 to 4 and are limited to fourteen persons. On busy days, especially weekends, tours often sell out by early afternoon. We encourage visitors interested in touring the home to arrive early to purchase tickets and experience other attractions on the site including the Theodore Roosevelt Museum at Old Orchard and the site’s nature trail. Tour tickets are $5.00 each and are sold on a first-come-first-served basis each day beginning at 9 AM. Ticket reservations are not accepted. The grounds of Sagamore Hill are open year round from sunrise to sunset.

For further information, visit our website at www.nps.gov/sahi, or call 516-922-4788. Be sure to follow us on Twitter for updates at http://twitter.com/SagamoreHillNHS and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sagamore-Hill-National-Historic-Site/127271867334480.

Reclaimation: Sculpting History Exhibit Opening at Sagamore Hill, Apr 16, 6:30pm-8:30pm

Rhode Island School of Design Students Showcasing 25 Works of Original Art


Oyster Bay, NY: Sagamore Hill National Historic Site (NHS) announces the opening of an exhibition of student work from the Rhode Island School of Design showcasing more than 25 original works of art at the Old Orchard Museum. An opening reception will take place on Saturday April 16 from 6:30-8:30PM at the Old Orchard Museum. The objects range from small hand-crafted books to large-scale furniture pieces, all utilizing plant material from Sagamore Hill NHS and George Washington Birthplace NHS. The exhibition is the result of a partnership between the Rhode Island School of Design, the Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation and Sagamore Hill National Historic Site.

Sagamore Hill NHS has been undertaking numerous cultural landscape rehabilitation projects to better present the spatial design and historic character of the site when it was a working farm during the Roosevelt family period (1885-1948). Some of the work has included the clearing of former farm fields, overgrown in the last 60 years by trees and brush. George Washington Birthplace National Historic Site has also been undertaking work at their site, including extensive trimming of historic boxwood shrubs at the site. Wood and other organic material from the landscape rehabilitation projects from both sites were provided to students enrolled in a joint course offered by RISD’s Department of History, Philosophy and Social Sciences and the Department of Furniture Design.

As part of their course, students studied Theodore Roosevelt, Sagamore Hill and George Washington and even made a field trip to Sagamore Hill NHS last fall to tour the Roosevelt home and grounds. From their study and personal experiences they created works of art in response to the landscape, the site’s history and the Roosevelt family.

The exhibition and opening event is sponsored in part by the Friends of Sagamore Hill, a Chapter of the Theodore Roosevelt Association. The exhibition will be on display through June 5, 2011. The Old Orchard Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday 10AM-5PM and is Free. In addition to this temporary exhibit, visitors can experience three galleries of exhibits and artifacts telling the story of Theodore Roosevelt’s life and impact on America. The museum also has a theater offering two audio visual programs on the Roosevelt family and Sagamore Hill.

The exhibit opening kicks off National Park Week which celebrates America’s 394 National parks with special programs, events, and free admission to all fee based parks, including Sagamore Hill NHS. For more information about National Park Week activities across the nation visit: www.nps.gov/npweek


--NPS—

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, located at 12 Sagamore Hill Road, Oyster Bay, New York, is a unit of the National Park Service. The site was established by Congress in 1962 to preserve and interpret the structures, landscape, collections and other cultural resources associated with Theodore Roosevelt’s home in Oyster Bay, New York, and to ensure that future generations understand and appreciate the life and legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, his family and the significant events associated with him. Tours of the home are limited to fourteen persons and are offered on the hour on Wednesdays through Sundays from 10am to 4pm. Tour tickets are five dollars each and tickets are sold on a first-come-first-served basis each day beginning at 9 AM. The grounds of Sagamore Hill are open year round from sunrise to sunset. For further information, visit our website at www.nps.gov/sahi, or call 516-922-4788. Be sure to follow us on Twitter for updates at http://twitter.com/SagamoreHillNHS and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sagamore-Hill-National-Historic-Site/127271867334480