Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library bill aims for federal cost-share, access to artifacts

The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora may be getting some federal help after lawmakers introduced a bill on Tuesday for funding and giving the library access to Roosevelt’s personal items.

All three members of North Dakota’s congressional delegation and other bill sponsors introduced the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Act, which aims to give the library’s foundation a one-third fundraising match with federal dollars through the Department of Interior. It also allows access to Roosevelt artifacts that are currently being held by federal agencies.

Matt Briney, chief communications officer for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, said the library’s foundation has raised $224 million of its $333 million project fundraising goal, which will cover construction costs and the facility’s initial operating endowment.

“We’re excited about it and it’s bipartisan and bicameral, so I think that’s a great sign,” Briney said. “We have enough funding and loans secured right now to complete the project, but there is still of course more fundraising to do.”

The bill says federal funds cannot be used for maintenance or operational costs for the library.

“With the approval of this legislation, Congress will help ensure that the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library will be a beacon of inspiration, reminding us all of the values of conservation, leadership, and courage that define our national character,” Theodore “Ted” Roosevelt V, the great-great-grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt, said in a statement. “My family and I are grateful to the congressional delegation for spearheading this effort.”

Briney said the most important part of the bill is the ability for the foundation to negotiate with federal agencies for Roosevelt items from his life and presidency.

“A lot of materials are being held within federal archives, and, the ability for us to have those on display, this bill just kind of makes that a lot easier for our curators,” he said. 

Briney added all of Roosevelt’s papers are being held at the Library of Congress and they are excited to secure some of them for display.

“We’re kind of in the early stages of knowing exactly what objects are going to be in each one of the galleries, but this opens up our ability to be able to look into what the government has,” Briney said. “It makes it easier to be able to have loans of those objects on display at our facility.”

The concrete foundation of the library was poured last summer and the first steel beams of the structure were installed April 9, according to the library’s website.

Briney said by mid-May, visitors to Medora will be able to see a steel exoskeleton of the structure.

He added, at some point this summer, library officials plan to unveil graphic renderings for exhibit halls.

“The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Act is a wise investment in our nation’s historical preservation,” said North Dakota lawmakers Sen. John Hoeven, Sen. Kevin Cramer and Rep. Kelly Armstrong in a joint news release. “It guarantees that future generations of Americans can access the rich history and enduring impact of Theodore Roosevelt.”

The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library plans to open to the public on July 4, 2026, which will commemorate the country’s 250th birthday.