Theodore Roosevelt Birthday Celebration: October 22-October 28

A selection of events in honor of Theodore Roosevelt's birthday.

News Release Date: October 2, 2016

Contact: Josh Reyes, 516-922-4788

Oyster Bay, NY — Sagamore Hill National Historic Site will be presenting a variety of special events to celebrate the birthday of Theodore Roosevelt. All programs are free of charge and all ages are welcome. Please note the locations of each event.

Saturday, October 22nd

Blood Drive at Sagamore Hill
Sagamore Hill will be hosting a New York Blood Center sponsored drive with a goal of adding 35 pints to the community’s blood supply. The Blood Center Busmobile will be at the Visitor Center from 11:00PM until 5:00PM. Donors should eat and drink plenty of fluids before donating and bring their donor card or a valid ID.

Sheep Shearing Demonstration at Sagamore Hill
The Long Island Livestock Company will be giving a sheep shearing demonstration to celebrate Sagamore Hill’s heritage as a working farm. Shearing sessions will take place behind the Visitor Center at 12:30PM and 2:00PM.

Children can participate in making a farm-themed craft.

Thursday, October 27th

Theodore Roosevelt, Upton Sinclair, and the Poison Squad: The Great 20th Century Food Battle
Among Roosevelt's many accomplishments is the creation of modern food policy, including laying out the ground work for the FDA. In this talk, historic gastronomist Sarah Lohman will paint the scene of the sometimes horrific food world at the turn of the 20th century and tell the stories behind the somewhat eccentric advocates for change. You'll learn about how "Sanitary" became a buzzword akin to "organic;" why a group of scientists ate borax for breakfast, and what happens when you put a famous writer and an imposing president in a room together.

This presentation will take place at 7:00 PM at Christ Church in Oyster Bay. 61 East Main Street, Oyster Bay, NY. [phone]

Friday, October 28th
Author’s Talk on Theodore Roosevelt as The Naturalist

Join us for a talk on The Naturalist: Theodore Roosevelt, a Lifetime of Exploration, and the Triumph of American Natural History given by author Darrin Lunde. 2016 is the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, and no U.S. president is more popularly associated with nature and wildlife than Theodore Roosevelt – prodigious hunter, tireless adventurer, and ardent conservationist. Roosevelt was popularly called our “naturalist president” and his lifelong passion for the natural world set the stage for America’s wildlife conservation movement. Lunde – a museum specialist in the Division of Mammals at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History – explores Roosevelt’s role in this proud tradition of museum naturalism in his new book. The Naturalist will be available for purchase at the presentation and the author will be signing copies of the book.

This presentation will take place at 7:00 PM at the Matinecock Lodge in Oyster Bay. 14 West Main Street, Oyster Bay, NY. [phone]