The official papers of Governor Theodore Roosevelt were
published by New York State in 1899 and 1900 in two volumes. Only
some of the material in these volumes was reprinted in subsequent editions
and collections of Roosevelt’s writings and papers, and the original volumes
have become rare collectors’ items. The two volumes include all of TR’s
messages, vetoes, reports, and other official papers as Governor as well as
many of his speeches. This material provides documentation of a
gubernatorial administration notable for conservation, the regulation of
business, and reform in general.
In short, this gubernatorial centennial CD-ROM contains much that
is both of value and not readily available.
On May 8, 1998, at Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay, New York, TR’s
home, Governor George E. Pataki of New York signed a proclamation
establishing the Temporary Commission to Commemorate the
Governorship of Theodore Roosevelt. The proclamation stated: “...At the
dawn of another century, as we recall Theodore Roosevelt’s vibrant life and
robust populist legacy longingly, with both admiration and affection, it is
uniquely fitting that we mark the anniversaries and achievements of his
career during the pivotal years of 1898 through 1900 in a manner that brings
his story into sharper focus...” This CD-ROM is part of the Commission’s
efforts to bring TR’s “story into sharper focus.”
Bernadette Castro, Commissioner of the New York State Office of
Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, and Charles Gargano,
Chairman of the Empire State Development Corporation, were appointed
Co-Chairs of the New York Temporary Commission to Commemorate the
Governorship of Theodore Roosevelt, and Theodore Roosevelt, IV served
as Honorary Chair. (See list of the members of the Commission.) The
Commission developed a multi-faceted program to observe TR’s
gubernatorial centennial, including the launching of two nature study centers
named for TR, setting up a “TR Historic Trial” of sites to visit in New
York State associated with TR, the publication of articles, pamphlets, and
other educational materials, and the production of this CD-ROM.
The Theodore Roosevelt Association extends thanks to the
following for help in producing this CD-ROM: Governor George E. Pataki
of New York; Commissioner Bernadette Castro; Charles Markis, National
Park Service Site Supervisor of the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National