Sagamore Hill National Historical Site

Jinx Thinks: 

I could spend all day here. I rolled in every field, sniffed out tons of history, and got to go to the beach! I also made sure I paid my respects to all of the Roosevelt Family’s pets at the Pet Cemetery located near the arbor.  I was not the biggest fan of the windmill, I didn’t understand why it was moving, but I did love sniffing all around the house, and running through the massive front field!

Our Thoughts:

I (Megan), love all things American History, so this was an absolute must-see for me, I was on cloud 9 the whole time we were here. We were lucky enough to have the park all to ourselves for the majority of the time we were here. Only one car came in after us, and we saw a couple walking their dog had a great day, starting off with the Nature Trail. The boardwalk down to Family Beach is absolutely stunning, and we were greeted by a gorgeous egret standing in the shallow water. When we climbed back up the trail to Old Orchard, we were nowhere near ready to be done for the day, so we walked around each path, reading all of the signs along the way. 

We found the carriage trail on accident and followed it down to the road, and then walked back up a small path ending up near the arbor and pet cemetery. We will definitely be back here again!

Fun Facts & Sights to See:

• Historical Fact: Sagamore Hill was home to Teddy Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States, from 1885 until his death in 1919. It was known as the ‘Summer White House’ as the President relocated here from the White House each summer during his Presidency 1902-1908.
• Know Before You Go: entrance to the park, as well as tours of Old Orchard (home of Theodore Roosevelt’s eldest son, Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr.  and his wife), are free of charge. Tours of Sagamore Hill are $10, but dogs are not allowed inside.
• Know Before You Go: There are bathrooms as well as garbage cans located in the parking lot, there are no garbage cans on the trail. The nearest trash can to the trail is in front of Old Orchard.
• Sagamore is an Algonquin word meaning ‘chieftain’, the head of a tribe
• Theodore Roosevelt created the United States Forest Service
• The main house was built in the Queen Anne style
• Helpful Hint: When you come to the fork in the nature trail that starts the loop, for the easier hike, start on the right side so you avoid the steepest section of the hill on the way up