The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library officially opened in early July in Medora, North Dakota, unveiling a $450 million facility that combines ecological design with a tribute to the 26th president’s legacy. Situated in the North Dakota Badlands near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the 93,000-square-foot building was designed by the New York-based architectural firm Snohetta. It features mass-timber construction and rammed-earth walls, blending harmoniously with the surrounding rugged landscape.

Unlike traditional presidential libraries, this institution operates independently of the National Archives and Records Administration and does not house Roosevelt’s original papers, which were dispersed long before the formal establishment of presidential libraries in the 1940s. Instead, it functions primarily as a museum and cultural center, focusing on Roosevelt’s conservation efforts and his complex historical legacy.

Medora holds personal significance for Roosevelt, who retreated to the Little Missouri River Valley in 1884 following the deaths of his wife and mother. During this period, he engaged in hunting and ranching while crafting a log cabin that remains near the park entrance. His experiences in the region shaped his later presidential policies, including the preservation of millions of acres as national monuments, forests, and parks.

The library’s design emphasizes environmental integration and sustainability. Snohetta co-leader Craig Dykers described how inspiration came from local landscape features and indigenous earth lodges. The structure consists of two connected pavilions — one housing the museum and restaurant, the other accommodating an auditorium, classrooms, and offices — sharing a large walkable rooftop planted with prairie grasses grown from seeds native to the area. This “Native Plant Project” involves collaboration with North Dakota State University and aims to restore native ecologies degraded by years of farming and grazing.

Inside, the use of rammed-earth walls showcases a resilient, ancient building technique with visual echoes of the Badlands’ geological formations. The library’s architecture and landscaping seek to honor both Roosevelt’s conservationist ideals and the Native American communities historically connected to the land.

The opening ceremony featured former President Donald Trump and North Dakota Governor Douglas Burgum, who lauded Roosevelt’s accomplishments and called the library a “national treasure.” Trump highlighted Roosevelt’s role in constructing the Panama Canal but did not address contemporary conservation challenges. The event took place amid ongoing federal rollbacks on environmental protections, including reductions in national monument areas and increased access for resource extraction on public lands.

Community responses to the library’s opening have been mixed. Medora, a town of approximately 160 residents, anticipates an influx of tourists drawn by the facility’s proximity to other major Western landmarks. Local concerns include rising real estate prices and the potential impact on the town’s character. Library officials expect around 280,000 visitors annually.

The museum’s exhibits present a multifaceted view of Roosevelt, acknowledging both his achievements and controversies, such as his imperialism and fraught relations with Native American tribes. Guides consulted representatives from the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation during development. The library also uses innovative technologies, including an artificial intelligence hologram of Roosevelt created with Microsoft, which engages visitors in interactive dialogue about the president’s legacy.

Visitors are encouraged to explore the extensive outdoor spaces, including a boardwalk encircling a grassy area the size of a football field, walking paths across the rooftop prairie, and scenic overlooks with views of the Badlands. The library aims to provide not only historical insight but also a connection to the natural environment that inspired Roosevelt’s conservation vision.