Roosevelt Africa Trail

On December 9th, the TRA joined several other leading scholars and partners at the Explorers Club in New York City to discuss Roosevelt’s trip as part of the US-Africa Business Connect. TRA Public Historian Dr. Michael Patrick Cullinane spoke on the historical nature of the trip and how Roosevelt became the first president to visit sub-Saharan Africa. TRA Executive Director Chris Cosentino attended to build connections with the leading visionaries at the event.

We heard presentations from the Executive Director of Ugandan Wildlife Authority, Dr. Russ Gant about augmented reality projects underway, and from representatives from the Roosevelt Africa Trail, which is an effort to bring tourists to Africa. The highlight was Andrew Roosevelt’s conversation with Prince Nicholas Basamula of Buganda, the descendant of Kabaka (King) Daudi Cwa II, who met TR in 1909.



Theodore Roosevelt’s African expedition in 1909 had long lasting implications. Funded in part by the Smithsonian Institute it helped to furnish the National Museum of Natural History with specimens for its displays. It acted as an early cultural diplomacy tour whereby TR asserted long-held values about American foreign policy. It also connected people and ideas across borders.