Roosevelt, Theodore, Inaugural National Historic Site
Posted by: 
Rayman
N 42° 54.099 W 078° 52.384
17T E 673642 N 4752087
The Ansley Wilcox Mansion was the site of Theodore Roosevelt's presidential inaguration in 1901.
Waymark Code: WMQVM
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 09/18/2006
Views: 18
The citizens of Buffalo asked the federal government for a safe place to stay in the event of an attack on the city. In 1838, an Army barracks was established on this site, with this building serving as officer's quarters. The barracks were moved to Fort Porter in 1845 and most of the buildings were removed. These quarters became a private home.
The mayor of Buffalo lived in the house from 1847-63. At the time the house still faced west towards the courtyard from the former barracks. Sometime during the 1850s or 60s, the front portico was moved to the west side of the house to face Delaware Avenue.
Dexter Rumsey bought the house in 1878 as a wedding gift to his daughter Mary Grace, who married Ansley Wilcox. Wilcox was previously married to Mary Grace's older sister Cornelia, who in 1880 during childbirth. They did extensive remodeling after moving in and built a large addition on the back nearly doubling the size.
On September 6, 1901, President William McKinley was shot while in Buffalo at the Pan-American Exposition. He died September 14 and Theodore Roosevelt took the oath of office later that day in the library of the Wilcox home.
The house was turned into a restaurant in 1939 while still owned by the Rumsey estate. The house was sold in 1947 for $62,000 to the restaurant operators. A local developer leased the house beginning in 1960 with the option to demolish it and put in a parking lot. Then in 1966 the house was declared a National Historic Site, and in 1969 the U.S. government bought the property for $250,000. It now serves as a museum.
Street address:
641 Delaware Ave
Buffalo, NY United States
14202
County / Borough / Parish: Erie
Year listed: 1966
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Person: Theodore Roosevelt
Periods of significance: 1900-1924
Historic function: Single Dwelling
Current function: Recreation and Culture: Museum
Privately owned?: no
Season start / Season finish: From: 01/01/2006 To: 12/31/2007
Hours of operation: From: 9:00 AM To: 5:00 PM
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.