SAGAMORE
HILL, LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK
For more information about James Foote
and how to contact him, click here.
"There
he is!" Mark said as we pulled into the parking lot at Sagamore Hill
National Historic Site on Long Island. Sure enough, the unmistakable form
of Theodore Roosevelt, clad in black hat and overcoat, was heading
towards the Phoenix. "Dee-lighted!" he exclaimed as we jumped
out to greet him.
No, we haven't
succeeded in mastering time travel. We did, however, have the good fortune
to receive an introduction to James Foote of Sea Cliff, New York.
James has been recreating the persona of Theodore Roosevelt for fifteen
years, and today he'd granted us the honor of guiding us through Sagamore
Hill, the Victorian home where TR and his family lived for over thirty
years.
James has
traveled the country as Roosevelt, perfoming at events like the commissioning
of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and appearing
on national television. When he's not traveling, he volunteers at Sagamore
Hill and makes appearances at schools and colleges.
James' interest
in Theodore Roosevelt goes beyond his uncanny resemblance. As a boy, he
attended Scout jamborees at Sagamore Hill. Later on, his glasses, mustache
and build kept drawing the question, "Did anyone ever tell you that
you look just like Teddy Roosevelt?" One appearance in costume led
to another, and invitations began pouring in for him to attend events
in character. "I couldn't keep doing it without knowing more about
TR," says Foote. "And I began learning everything I could about
the man." He now knows most of his speeches by heart and can deliver
them in the distinctive, high-pitched voice for which the 26th president
is known.
James gave
us a splendid tour of Sagamore Hill, pausing whenever other groups passed
to delight them with Roosevelt wisdom and lore. "Do the best you
can with what you have where you are!" he admonished a group of school
children. "When it's a question of right and wrong, never be neutral!"
When a student thanked him for letting the group visit his house, James
replied, "You're welcome, but it's no longer my home. It's your
home now." Having put a smile on every face, he moved on through
the rooms, explaining the historical significance of a bearskin rug, a
pair of African elephant tusks, a stuffed badger, a hand-made quilt, and
dozens of the other artifacts preserved here. Sagamore Hill is a three-dimensional
history book of the Roosevelt era.
After a three-floor
exploration of TR's home, we headed to the Old Orchard Museum, where more
Roosevelt memorabilia is housed. On the way, we paused by the gift shop,
where we met park ranger Dan Whalen and store manager Ernie Durand.
As we walked
back to the Phoenix, James told us how Morris Michtom once asked TR's
permission to use his name in the marketing of a toy bear. "I doubt
my name will do anything for the bear business, but use it if you must!"
was Roosevelt's reply.
James is
an inexhaustible source of information about his colorful hero. As we
drove away from Sagamore Hill in the gathering dusk, our feelings echoed
another of Teddy's long-lived remarks. After finishing a cup of Maxwell
House coffee he announced, "It was good to the last drop!"
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James
Foote's remarkable portrayal of Theodore Roosevelt has been
honed over the last twenty-five years. Foote has memorized a large
number of Roosevelt quotes and is extraordinarily skillful in using
them to respond to questions posed by current guests to Sagamore
Hill. He is also available to perform
for classes, meetings, and events.
For
further information and fees, call (516) 671-1447, or write to Mr.
Foote at 55 18th Ave, Sea Cliff, NY 11579
Click
here for more information about Theodore Roosevelt and the Sagamore
Hill National Historic Site.
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