Theodore Roosevelt's home at Sagamore Hill is scheduled to reopen in July/NPS archives

Finally, after being closed for several years for restoration work, the Theodore Roosevelt House at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site in New York will reopen on July 12.

In preparation for the reopening, the grounds will also receive improvements. To provide a better overall visitor experience at Sagamore Hill, in addition to the house renovation, park officials say paths and roadways at the site will be repaired and resurfaced, and new informational exhibit panels will be placed throughout the site. Unfortunately, to make these improvements, small areas of the site will be closed temporarily to visitation during the project.

The road and pathway project will provide a new accessible path from the visitor center to the Theodore Roosevelt House, where a new accessible ramp has been installed to allow mobility-assisted visitors to safely gain entry to the porch and first floor. The picnic area at the visitor center and the path traversing the pasture from the parking lot to the Old Orchard Museum will also be paved to improve ease of use.

Minor roadway repairs will also take place, followed by a resurfacing of most of the site's paved surfaces. The micro- and chip-sealed resurfacing will give the paths and roadways a consistent and pleasant finish throughout the park. This project will last throughout June.

The site will also begin to replace and install new outdoor informative exhibits. These new interpretive panels will provide visitors with historic images and informational text on different aspects of life at Sagamore Hill. Panels should give visitors a more well-rounded knowledge and improved experience as they move around the grounds by offering insights into games the Roosevelt family played, their pets, how the land was used, and background on the structures, to list a few topics.

Major projects on the grounds of Sagamore Hill National Historic Site will be completed prior to the reopening event for the Theodore Roosevelt House. To celebrate reopening of the house following the three-year rehabilitation project, the site will host a free family festival on Sunday, July 12, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The event will feature invited speakers, live music, Theodore Roosevelt as portrayed by Jim Foote, Rough Rider equestrian reenactment, petting farm and pony rides, traditional activities, games and crafts, a variety of food, and more, including free walk through tours of the first floor of the house.

Due to the high visitation anticipated and very limited parking on site, Sagamore Hill NHS will be implementing a satellite parking system on the day of the event. Remote parking will be at the East Woods School, as well as at Oyster Bay High School and Vernon School in Oyster Bay. Regular free shuttles will provide service throughout the day.