Theodore Roosevelt Center To Expand Digital Library

Theodore Roosevelt, unlike contemporary presidents, does not have a presidential library.

Papers relating to the late president’s career and personal life are scattered throughout numerous institutions. However, an online archive is quickly growing due to the efforts of the Theodore Roosevelt Center.

The center, located at Dickinson State University in North Dakota, debuted its digital library in 2011. Since that time, it has amassed an extensive digitized collection for public viewing online. The collection includes letters, diaries, drawings, photographs, and other ephemera relating to the late president.

According to The Associated Press, the Theodore Roosevelt Center’s digital library has grown to include roughly 18,000 items. It plans to expand that number with nearly 300 new films expected to be added in the near future.

Volunteers are also preparing Theodore Roosevelt materials from the Harvard College Library, the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace, and the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic site for inclusion in the center’s digital library.

An article by The Dickinson Press writes that the Theodore Roosevelt Center has provided research materials for National Public Radio, The History Channel, and filmmaker Ken Burns. However, the center primarily seeks to give the average curiosity seeker a glimpse of the past.

Sharon Kilzer, the center’s project manager, explained:

“The Theodore Roosevelt Center really does have something for everyone, you don’t have to be a history buff. Our goal is for people to sit down because they’re interested in something and get lost and come up for air two hours later. You can stumble upon things that are just amazing.”

You can access the Theodore Roosevelt Center’s digital library at its official website.