Construction has officially begun on the Theodore Roosevelt presidential library in the picturesque Badlands of western North Dakota. This historic project pays homage to the 26th president, who once hunted and ranched in this very location during the 1880s. The initial phase of the construction, which began on June 15, involved the removal of topsoil to prepare the site for the project’s cut-fill plan.
Currently, builders are focused on constructing the library’s east retaining wall, with the first concrete pour completed just this week. According to library CEO Ed O’Keefe, progress is steady and on track.
This impressive library will be situated on a 93-acre site, near the renowned Medora Musical venue and the beautiful national park that bears Roosevelt’s name. To secure this location, the Roosevelt family generously purchased 90 acres of US Forest Service land for $81,000. Congress gave their approval for the sale in 2020, setting the stage for the development of this monumental project.
The total cost of the construction is estimated to be around $180 million. Fortunately, the library received substantial support from both the private and public sectors. In 2019, the Republican-controlled Legislature of North Dakota approved a $50 million operations endowment, contingent upon the library’s organizers raising $100 million in private donations. Remarkably, they achieved this goal in the fall of 2020.
Since then, fundraising efforts have been ongoing, and have already exceeded $200 million in total. Notably, oil magnate Harold Hamm, a key figure in North Dakota’s Bakken oil field, donated a staggering $50 million to the project. With such generous support, the library’s construction will continue through the winter, barring any severe weather conditions.
Library CEO Ed O’Keefe remains optimistic about the project’s timeline, stating that the delivery of mass timber and steel is anticipated in spring 2024, creating a substantial structure on-site by the following summer. The grand opening of the library is planned for July 4, 2026, symbolically coinciding with the 250th anniversary of America’s founding.
As construction progresses, it is clear that the Theodore Roosevelt presidential library will become a remarkable national treasure, celebrating the legacy of one of America’s most influential presidents.
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