The $450 million Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library officially opened in July near Medora, North Dakota, offering a unique addition to the network of presidential libraries in the United States. Situated on a grassy butte overlooking the town and just minutes from Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the 93,000-square-foot structure embodies ecological design principles while honoring Roosevelt’s legacy as a conservationist.
Designed by the New York-based architectural firm Snohetta, the library is constructed primarily from mass timber and rammed earth, blending seamlessly into the surrounding Badlands landscape. The building’s design incorporates two main pavilions connected by a walkable green roof, a signature feature of Snohetta’s work. This roof, planted with native prairie grasses, echoes the earth lodges historically used by Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains, and spans an area large enough to accommodate two Boeing 747 aircraft.
The project integrates local ecological restoration efforts through the “Native Plant Project,” a collaboration with North Dakota State University that involves cultivating seeds native to the region for use on the site and roof. The rammed-earth walls inside the library showcase a preindustrial construction method common to both European settlers and Native American cultures, with multicolored soil layers that evoke the geological striations of the Badlands.
The library’s establishment was led by a private nonprofit affiliated with the National Archives and Records Administration. Unlike modern presidential libraries that typically house physical archives, Theodore Roosevelt’s papers were dispersed before such institutions existed. The facility functions primarily as a museum and cultural center dedicated to Roosevelt’s life and legacy.
Its exhibitions provide a multifaceted portrayal of Roosevelt, highlighting both his achievements and controversies. The museum explores his contributions to conservation and public lands, while also acknowledging the displacement of Native American communities and his complex relationships with Indigenous peoples. In developing the content and architecture, the foundation consulted with the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation to ensure cultural sensitivity.
An innovative feature of the museum is a Microsoft-designed artificial intelligence hologram of Roosevelt, which interacts with visitors and reflects on his presidency. The traditional equestrian statue of Roosevelt previously displayed outside the American Museum of Natural History in New York is not featured at the library.
The opening ceremony drew national attention with former President Donald Trump and then-Secretary of the Interior and former North Dakota Governor Douglas Burgum in attendance. Trump praised Roosevelt for his role in building the Panama Canal and called the library “a new national treasure,” though he did not emphasize Roosevelt’s conservation efforts in his remarks. The event took place against a backdrop of recent federal policy shifts that have loosened protections for public lands and endangered species.
Locally, the library is expected to boost tourism in Medora, a town with a population of around 160, and potentially drive residential development in the area. Library officials anticipate nearly 280,000 visitors annually, positioning the site as a regional attraction along the Great American Road Trip route that includes Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore.
The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library stands as a notable example of environmentally conscious architecture and presents a nuanced tribute to one of the nation’s most influential presidents, situated within the landscape that profoundly shaped his conservation ethos.