|
 On September 14th, 1901, an anxious Theodore Roosevelt stood in the library of a friend's home in Buffalo, NY. Hours earlier, President William McKinley had died of an assassin's bullet, and now Roosevelt stood ready to rise to the highest office in the land. Roosevelt had been in the vice-presidency for barely six months and had privately feared that his political career was ended with his election to a largely powerless office. Yet at 3:32 pm of September 14th, Theodore Roosevelt was inaugurated as the 26th President of the United States as a consequence of unforeseen tragedy.
Roosevelt's administration would expand the role of the United States in world affairs, change the relationship between the American government and its citizens, and alter the shape of the presidency itself. The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural NHS preserves the former Ansley Wilcox home, the scene of this fateful turning point in American history.
The front portion of the house was built c. 1840 as officers' quarters for the Buffalo Barracks. Ansley Wilcox enlarged the house to its present size in the 1890s. The first floor contains the visitor orientation room, three restored rooms, one permanent exhibit room on the events of 1901, and the restrooms. The lower level has an education classroom. The second floor has one restored room, a large room to rent for meetings and small get-togethers, wall space available for art shows by local artists and groups and a gift shop. There is a garden area outside.
Visitors may also walk through the herb and flower Gardens on site, or enjoy a walking tour of the surrounding historic neighborhoods.
Fees:
Adults - $10
Seniors/Students - $7
Children (6-18) - $5
Family - $25 (2 adults and all children 18 and under)
Getting There:
From east: Take I-90 east to Rt. 33 west. Exit at Locust St. or Goodell Street. Stay on Goodell Street for six blocks. Cross Main Street (St. Louis Church is on the corner) to Edward Street. Go one block to Franklin Street and turn right. Go three blocks on Franklin Street. After you pass Allen Street, the parking lot will be 3/4 of a block up on the left side.
From the west: Take I-90 west to I-190 north. Get off at the Church Street exit. Go three blocks on Church to Franklin Street and turn left. Stay on Franklin Street for about one mile. When you pass Allen Street, the parking lot will be 3/4 of a block on the left side.
From Niagara Falls, NY - Take the Robert Moses Expressway to the 190 south. Take 190 south to Buffalo. Get off at Porter Avenue exit. Turn left on to Porter. Stay on Porter (the street name changes to North) until Delaware Avenue. Turn right on Delaware. Go one block to Allen Street, turn left on Allen and then a left on Franklin Street. The parking lot will be on the left side.
|
