After a long period of anticipation marked by this fall’s U.S. government shutdown, Flower Hill Primary School fourth graders were finally able to visit President Theodore Roosevelt’s Sagamore Hill estate in Oyster Bay for a day filled with exploration and history.
Although the historic house at Sagamore Hill is closed to the public until 2015 while it undergoes renovation, the Flower Hill youngsters enjoyed the estate’s scenic grounds and the Theodore Roosevelt Museum at Old Orchard.
Mr. Roosevelt resided at Sagamore Hill with his wife and children from 1885 until his death in 1919. Edith Roosevelt, the 26th president’s widow, continued to live in the house until her death in 1948 at 87 years of age. Mrs. Roosevelt gave several acres of the estate to her son Ted, so he could build a house and raise his family there. Ted Roosevelt’s house, named Old Orchard, is now used as a museum on the grounds.
Find out what's happening in Huntingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Among the many activities during the visit, Flower Hill students were taught the proper way to fold an American flag by the National Parks Service. Each youngster participated in hoisting Old Glory up a tall flagpole that stands in front of the historic home.
Students were fascinated with the artifacts they found on display in the Theodore Roosevelt Museum at Old Orchard. The facility features three exhibit areas and a video theater on the first floor, which focuses on Mr. Roosevelt’s early life, beginning with his childhood and through his time as governor of New York.
Find out what's happening in Huntingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The museum includes a room devoted to Mr. Roosevelt’s presidency, with special attention paid to his foreign policy and conservation efforts. A third room explores the post-presidential years, including a safari in Africa and the former president’s 1912 campaign to regain the high office as a third party candidate. The Flower Hill contingent even worked with partners during a scavenger hunt at the museum.
The afternoon included a picnic lunch on the crisp fall day. There was even an opportunity for the fourth graders to run across grassy open fields where Teddy Roosevelt once hiked.
“The trip was a wonderful opportunity for our fourth graders to connect to the social studies curriculum in a practical way,” Flower Hill Principal Marlon Small said.
