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.

 Directions 

Plane - Buffalo-Niagara International Airport - to Rt. 33 west to Locust St. exit to Goodell St. to Edward St. Turn right at Franklin St. Site parking is 2 3/4 blocks up on the left side.

Car - From I-90 east: Follow same directions as airport. From I-90 west: Exit at 190 north to Church St. Left on Franklin St. Parking lot is one mile north on the left.

Public Transportation - Metro buses # 11 or 25 leaves visitors off in front of Site. Metro rail: Allen St. station. Walk two blocks west on Allen to Delaware Avenue and then one block north (right) on Delaware.