One of the most beloved Presidents throughout history is Theodore Roosevelt. He was the American President from 1901 - 1909 after the assassination of President McKinley. As the youngest President, he ushered in a new era for the country at the turn of the century. As an advocate for conservation and public lands, he is remembered for his contributions to this country.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Theodore Roosevelt’s Burial Place and Grave
- Theodore Roosevelt’s Funeral
- Other Memorials for President Roosevelt
Visiting famous graves is a great way to feel closer to someone special who made an impact on you. Theodore Roosevelt’s grave is an unassuming plot and headstone at Youngs Memorial Cemetery in Oyster Bay, New York. Located just a mile from his home, this burial place is a memorable spot worth visiting for any nature lover.
If you’re looking to learn more about President Theodore Roosevelt’s burial place, keep reading.
Theodore Roosevelt’s Burial Place and Grave
First and foremost, Roosevelt had a passion for nature. This passion led him to pursue a career in Natural Science. He used his authority as president to help conserve 230 million acres of public land. Many were set aside as National Forests, and today there is a National Park System named in his honor.
As such a lover of nature, it’s no surprise that his final resting place is in the great outdoors he loved so much. His family ensured his grave reflected his efforts towards conservation. Today, visitors can see the grave themselves to experience the natural beauty Roosevelt cared for so greatly.
Location
Most Presidents and Vice Presidents were buried in their home states. This shows just how important one’s connection is to their state, and it’s a source of pride for locals in the area. President Theodore Roosevelt was buried at a cemetery very near his homestead in Oyster Bay, New York.
Located just a mile from the Roosevelt home, Youngs Memorial Cemetery overlooks the land the President and his family loved so dearly. The Young family that owns the cemetery and the land just outside of it opened the property as a not-for-profit to simply provide for its care and use by their neighbors.
The location itself is very simple. There are no extravagant statues or decorations, just a woodsy green cemetery without much fanfare. The Roosevelt’s family plot is surrounded by a fence to keep it secure, and ivy now grows over the ground. It’s the green sendoff the President would have wanted.
Emlen Roosevelt, the President’s cousin, purchased an additional 12 acres of land to protect the cemetery from future development. Most was added to the back of the cemetery to be used as a burial place for other members of the Roosevelt family.
The remainder of the acreage was gifted to the National Audubon Society to become a songbird sanctuary. Roosevelt told his cousin of the beautiful songbirds around Oyster Bay, so this was a thoughtful tribute to his memory.
Gravestone
Theodore Roosevelt’s gravestone is similarly simple. It has the presidential emblem, his name, birth date, and death date. It also has an inscription noting his medal of honor for his service in the Spanish American War.
There’s an additional plaque at the bottom of the grave marking the funeral of Roosevelt. It explains briefly how the cortege proceeded up the steps to leave the President on this final resting place overlooking the bay. One of his most inspiring quotes completes the plaque, reading, “In the long fight for righteousness the watchword for all of us is spend and be spent.”
Where is Edith Roosevelt buried?
While Roosevelt’s first wife was buried in Brooklyn, New York, Edith Roosevelt chose to be buried in the same cemetery as her husband. She outlived him by many years, living until age 87. Upon her death, she was laid to rest in the same plot as her husband. They share a headstone which lists both their names.
On her market, she requested a special inscription in her honor. It read, “Everything she did was for the happiness of others.” Though her legacy is greatly overshadowed by her husband, Edith wished for her own mark to be left on the world.
Theodore Roosevelt’s Funeral
Like most Presidents of the United States, great care was taken to ensure he had an honorable funeral. His body was first laid to rest in a room of his home. His close family and friends paid respects to his casket, which was then taken to Christ Church.
This larger service was for political leaders and dignitaries. New York City policemen stood beside residents lining the route to the cemetery. He was laid to rest in his peaceful resting place, friends, and family nearby. People continue to visit from around the world to see Roosevelt’s grave and pay their respects to the inspiring President.
Other Memorials for President Roosevelt
Many presidents have memorials outside of their cemetery. For the political figures who made a big impact on this country, these memorials serve as a reminder of their ongoing impact. As a leader of conservation, it’s no surprise that many of Roosevelt’s memorials are either to natural wonders or incorporate nature in some way.
Here are just a few of Roosevelt’s many memorials. Have you visited any for yourself?
- Theodore Roosevelt Dam (Arizona) - This striking dam forms Theodore Roosevelt Lake by impounding the Salt River near Phoenix, Arizona.
- Roosevelt National Forest (Colorado) - You’ll find this National Forest in north-central Colorado. It’s part of the Rocky Mountains region.
- Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park (New York) - Located in Roosevelt’s beloved Oyster Bay, this park is a gorgeous place to enjoy an afternoon in the sun along the waterfront.
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota) - At the spot where Roosevelt came to the Dakota Territory to hunt bison, this National Park is at the forefront of today’s conservation movement.
- Theodore Roosevelt Island (Washington DC) - This small island and national memorial is located in the country’s capital. Today, it’s a popular place for school trips, educational activities, and nature walks.
- Roosevelt Room (Washington DC) - The White House is home to the Roosevelt Room, a meeting room in the West Wing of the President’s home. This was originally where Theodore Roosevelt’s office was located before the home’s expansion.
- Mount Rushmore (South Dakota) - Roosevelt is one of the presidents carved into the Black Hills of South Dakota.
All of these memorials to this President show just how wide-reaching his impact was. He was a pioneer of conservation, and his legacy is honored through many of this nation’s most inspiring national wonders. Whether you visit his larger-than-life likeness at Mount Rushmore or stroll through one of the National Parks, take a moment to reflect on this great President.
A Grave Worthy of Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt is one of the most well-known and well-remembered Presidents in the history of the United States. His impact is felt even today, especially in the country’s conservation efforts.
What started as a small passion grew into a lifelong career of fighting to make the nation’s beauty free and accessible to all. Today, Roosevelt’s memory is honored not only at his cemetery in Oyster Bay but in the country’s vast National Park system.
If you’re hoping to find a grave belonging to a famous person or political leader, this is an important way to feel connected with the past. Roosevelt’s grave proves that just because someone is gone doesn’t mean their legacy no longer lives on. Have you visited the graves of any Presidents? If so, what did this visit mean to you? For most people, it’s a humbling, memorable experience.
Sources
- “Edith, Roosevelt.” Find a Grave. FindaGrave.com.
- “Find a Grave: Theodore Roosevelt.” Find a Grave. FindAGrave.com.
- “Theodore Roosevelt.” The White House. WhiteHouse.gov.
- “Theodore Roosevelt and Conservation.” National Park Service. NPS.gov.
- “Theodore Roosevelt and the National Park System.” National Park Service. NPS.gov.
- “Youngs Memorial Cemetery and the Roosevelt Family.” National Parks Service. NPS.gov.