Letter to Mr. James Bruns, President, Theodore Roosevelt Association

Letter

Senator Clinton Presses for Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Museum to be Built in Oyster Bay

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today appealed to James Bruns, President of the Theodore Roosevelt Association, to choose Oyster Bay as the site to build the anticipated Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Museum and Research Center. In a letter to President Bruns, Senator Clinton said she could think of no more fitting tribute to President Roosevelt than to place this museum in the state of his birth and the town where he and his wife Edith chose to raise their family.

"Oyster Bay would be the perfect place to build this museum," said Senator Clinton after sending her letter. "Building it where there is already so much Teddy Roosevelt history would give visitors the full experience of the great man and would bring even more visitors to the area. Teddy Roosevelt spent most of his life in Sagamore Hill, and it was chosen as his final resting place. I can't think of a better place to put such a fitting tribute to such a great American."

The Theodore Roosevelt Association is currently weighing different proposals as to where to build the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Museum and Research Center. As of now, the proposed sites are Oyster Bay, Cambridge, MA, and Washington, DC. The facility would not be a Presidential Library, as books and documents that the association has acquired over the years have been donated to Harvard and the Library of Congress. The museum would be an experiential and interactive museum, with exhibits meant for people to explore the legacy of President Roosevelt.

A copy of Senator Clinton's letter follows -

July 26, 2007

Mr. James Bruns
President
Theodore Roosevelt Association
Post Office Box 719
Oyster Bay, New York 11771

Dear Mr. Bruns:

It is my understanding that there are three sites being considered by the Theodore Roosevelt Association for construction of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Museum and Research Center - Oyster Bay, New York; Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Washington, D.C. A museum dedicated to this remarkable American is long overdue and I strongly urge you to choose Oyster Bay as the museum site. I can think of no more fitting tribute to President Roosevelt than to place this museum in the state of his birth and the town where he and his wife Edith chose to raise their family.

Oyster Bay has so much to offer as the museum site. Already there are 55,000 - 60,000 visitors to Sagamore Hill each year. The Theodore Roosevelt Museum would increase the educational value and enhance the visits of those eager to learn about President Roosevelt's presidency and his family. The residents of Oyster Bay have a long history of pride in their connection to President Roosevelt. The Museum would be a welcome addition to Oyster Bay's already existing Roosevelt site.

I give my strongest support to the selection of Oyster Bay as the location of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Museum. I can think of no finer day in Oyster Bay than the dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Museum.

Sincerely yours,
Hillary Rodham Clinton

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