A few weeks after Theodore Roosevelt died, the National Association of Audubon Societies decided to erect a fountain/statue in his memory. Funds were collected throughout the United States. In 1923, the Audubon Societies received twelve acres of donated land in Oyster Bay, New York with the condition that the land would be preserved in memory of Theodore Roosevelt. Thus was created the first National Audubon Society sanctuary.

Why honor TR? In 1903, President Roosevelt realized that the Brown Pelican, egrets, herons and many other birds were in serious trouble. Legend has it that he asked his advisors if there were any laws that would prohibit him from protecting some of the nesting sites of these birds.

When he was told that there was no such provision, on March 14, 1903 President Theodore Roosevelt designated Pelican Island in Florida the first federal reservation to protect these birds. This was the start of the American National Wildlife Refuge system.

Tell me more about the Audubon's TR Bird Sanctuary!

Also near Sagamore Hill, consider visiting Youngs Memorial Cemetery at the junction of Cove Neck Road and Cove Road. Youngs Cemetery, surrounded by the tranquility of the Bird Sanctuary, is the site of the graves of Theodore and Edith Roosevelt.