My Honey and I went to Sagamore Hill National Historic Site on Oyster Bay this past week. It was amazing! Teddy Roosevelt built a wonderful home for his family in 1885 on Cove Neck Road. He enjoyed time with his family right up until his death in 1919. The estate had lots of land for horseback riding. There are 23 rooms and it provided ample room for all six of the Roosevelt children. Books are every where just as they were when the family lived in the home. You can find out more about this wonderful place here.
According to one legend, Roosevelt was settling a border dispute between Louisiana and Mississippi in 1902. During this trip, he attended a bear hunt in Mississippi where a fellow hunter captured an injured bear, tied it to a tree and asked Roosevelt to shoot it. But Roosevelt didn't have the heart to kill the defenseless bear. The Washington Post ran an editorial cartoon created by the cartoonist Clifford K. Berryman that illustrated the event called "Drawing the Line." The cartoon and the story became popular and was published in newspapers all over the country.
Store owners Morris and Rose Michtom in New York saw the cartoon. Rose made some small stuffed bears to sell in their store. Morris wrote to Roosevelt requesting his permission to call the bears "Teddy Bears". President Roosevelt granted them the usage of his nickname, but added that he did not think using his name would help sell the bears. The bears proved to be a hit and the rest is history.
I just want to make a few personal observations about my experience. The gentleman at the tourist center was very helpful. Our guide for the tour was a very sprightly woman, who must have been over 50; but I believe she may have been in her 70's. At any rate she was very athletic for someone her age. She showed us all three floors of the home with tremendous ability. She delivered her facts and anecdotes with aplomb. While we were at the park we also visited "The Teddy Roosevelt Museum in the Old Orchard House. The thing that interested me the most was the exhibit case housing Teddy's Rough Rider Uniform with the famous original hat with it's pinned up brim. The other things that I found fascinating were his service revolver, his sword, Teddy's published works and 1900 McKinley-Roosevelt Campaign buttons.
We went went into the town of Oyster Bay and enjoyed a late lunch at Tabby's Burger House. Just a little warning for those who go there...unless you are absolutely starving get the quarter pounder. My Greek salad, half pounder with cheese, mushrooms, and fried onions, and french fries was delicious. I had the first chocolate egg creme I have had in over 40 years. It was absolutely scrumptious. Needless to say I got a "doggie bag"
To say that we both enjoyed the day is an understatement.
Note: Where did the Teddy Bear get it's name? The beloved toy we've come to know today as the "Teddy Bear" was named after the 26th President of the United States, Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt.
According to one legend, Roosevelt was settling a border dispute between Louisiana and Mississippi in 1902. During this trip, he attended a bear hunt in Mississippi where a fellow hunter captured an injured bear, tied it to a tree and asked Roosevelt to shoot it. But Roosevelt didn't have the heart to kill the defenseless bear. The Washington Post ran an editorial cartoon created by the cartoonist Clifford K. Berryman that illustrated the event called "Drawing the Line." The cartoon and the story became popular and was published in newspapers all over the country.
Store owners Morris and Rose Michtom in New York saw the cartoon. Rose made some small stuffed bears to sell in their store. Morris wrote to Roosevelt requesting his permission to call the bears "Teddy Bears". President Roosevelt granted them the usage of his nickname, but added that he did not think using his name would help sell the bears. The bears proved to be a hit and the rest is history.
