Theodore Roosevelt's father hosted the founding meeting of the American Museum of Natural History in the front parlor (living room) of Theodore Roosevelt's childhood home. (Nathan Miller, A Life, pg 32)

Is it any wonder that the man who eventually became President enjoyed a long friendship with the museum?

Among many other things, Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed being a naturalist, someone who seeks to understand the natural world works. This involved studying both live and dead animals. Theodore started his first studies of smaller animals when he was quite young, startling the household staff with dead mice in his quarters.

But TR was also an explorer and after many expeditions in the US and one in Africa, he ventured to what has become known as the Rio Roosevelt (Roosevelt River). This trip took him over 1500 miles as he gathered 'significant collections for the American Museum of Natural History.' (Harbaugh, Power and Responsibility, pg 464)

In tribute, the museum created a rotunda with some of the important quotes from TR's life. These quotes are also found on the statue at Theodore Roosevelt Island in Washington, D.C.

NATURE

There is delight in the hardy life of the open. (African Game Trails, 1910)

There are no words that can tell the hidden spirit of the wilderness, that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy, and its charm. (African Game Trails, 1910)

The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased and not impaired in value. (The New Nationalism, 1910)

Conservation means development as much as it does protection. (The New Nationalism, 1910)

MANHOOD

A man's usefulness depends upon his living up to his ideals in so far as he can. (A Letter to Dr. Sturgis Bigelow, March 29, 1898)

It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed. (The Strenuous Life, 1900)

All daring and courage, all iron endurance of misfortune make for a finer and nobler type of manhood. (Address to Naval War College, June 2, 1897)

Only those are fit to live who do not fear to die: and none are fit to die who have shrunk from the joy of life and the duty of life. (The Great Adventure, 1918)

YOUTH

I want to see you game, boys, I want to see you brave and manly, and I also want to see you gentle and tender. (Address at Friends School, Washington, DC, May 24, 1907)

Be practical as well are generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars, but remember to keep your feet on the ground. (Speech at Prize Day Exercises at Groton School, Groton, MA, May 24 1904)

Courage, hard work, self-mastery, and intelligent effort are all essential to successful life. (America and the World War, 1915)

Alike for the nation and the individual, the one indispensable requisite is character. (American Ideals, 1897)

THE STATE

Ours is a government of liberty by, through, and under the law. (Speech at Spokane, WA, May 26, 1903)

A great democracy has got to be progressive or it will soon cease to be great or a democracy. (The New Nationalism, 1910)

Order without liberty and liberty without order are equally destructive. (Miscellaneous Writings, c. 1890s)

In popular government results worth having can be achieved only by men who combine worthy ideals with practical good sense. (Address at Harvard Union, Feb. 23, 1907)

If I must choose between righteousness and peace I choose righteousness. (America and the World War, 1915)