SAGAMORE HILL CELEBRATES PRESIDENTS DAY WEEKEND

Date: February 4, 2008

(Oyster Bay, NY) Sagamore Hill is sponsoring some special events for children on Saturday and Sunday, February 16 and 17. On each of these days, author Toby Selda will be on hand to sign copies of her new book, Simply “Father” Life with Theodore Roosevelt as Seen Through the Eyes of His Children.

A work of historical fiction, Simply “Father” uses the collective voice of the Roosevelt children to tell the story of their life with Theodore Roosevelt. Through historic photographs, picture letters and quotes, the book accurately describes Roosevelt family life and creates the understanding of a man who was accessible to children as well as a father figure who loved his family and home. The book is meant to look like a family album from the early 1900s. This new Eastern National publication is well-illustrated and, although primarily written for the younger reader, will appeal to readers of all ages.

Beginning each of these days at 12pm Ms. Selda will be at the bookstore to sign copies for those who purchase the book priced $7.95. Author Selda will read her book at 1:15 on each of those days. Everyone will have a chance to meet and greet the author. There is no cost to attend the readings. Purchase books and sign up for the readings at the Visitor Center.

Sagamore Hill Open on Presidents Day, Monday, February 18

Sagamore Hill will be open for business on President’s Day, Monday, Feb. 18. During the winter, the home of Theodore Roosevelt, 26^th US President, is normally closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and all Federal Holidays, but the site will be open for the usual hours on President’s Day: Tours of the home on the hour from 10 to 4; the Theodore Roosevelt Museum at Old Orchard, open from 10 to 4; and the Visitor Center and Bookstore are open from 9 to 4:45.

Because President’s Day is a school holiday and children will be home for the day it provides an excellent opportunity for them to visit the home of Long Island’s most famous resident and to learn about Theodore Roosevelt, his home and family. The site is offering some especially developed activities for children who want to earn the National Park Service Junior Ranger Badge. These activities include:

• Theodore Roosevelt and His Sagamore Hill Home: Kids test their powers of observation by completing the Junior Ranger Activity Book following a tour of the home. Ask for the booklet at the time tour tickets is purchased; allow fifteen minutes to complete the activity. Books are scored and badges awarded at the Visitor Center.
• Theodore Roosevelt History Hunt at Old Orchard: Kids are history-detectives and look for answers to the questions in the Activity Booklet based on the exhibits in the museum. This activity takes twenty to thirty minutes to complete. Ask for the booklet at the information desk at Old Orchard where books are scored upon completion.
• Letterboxing Adventures at Sagamore Hill (Look up “letterboxing” on the internet for more information) is an outdoor family activity that introduces problem solving and orienteering (use of compass and directions).
• The Wonderbook of Natureis a field guide to selected species of plants and animals found on the site. Both Letterboxing and Wonderbook of Nature are outdoor activities and will only be offered if the weather permits

Satisfactory completion of these activities will earn a child a Sagamore Hill Junior Ranger Badge. Please note that only one badge per child will be awarded, although kids are certainly welcome to complete several activities. Those students completing three or more activities will earn a special Sagamore Hill Junior Ranger patch.

These programs have been developed with a grant from the Unilever Corporation through the National Park Foundation and matched by the Friends of Sagamore Hill

There is no cost for any of these programs and no charge for admission for kids 15 years and under; tour tickets for mom and dad are five dollars each and tickets are sold on a first-come-first-served basis for each day beginning at 9 AM. Tours of the home are limited to fourteen persons, are offered on the hour from 10 to 4.

Celebrate President’s Day Week End by visiting your local Presidential Site, Sagamore Hill NHS, home of Theodore Roosevelt, 26^th US President. 

For further information contact Charles Markis or the visitor center information desk at 516-922-4788 or visit us at www.nps.gov/sahi

-NPS-