KVRR Connections Tourism: Inside the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library one year before it opens

MEDORA, N.D. (KVRR) — One of the premier events for the nation’s 250th birthday next July 4, will be the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota.

Work began in the summer of 2023 and now they are down to the wire with just under a year to go on the $400 million project.

KVRR’S TJ Nelson got a tour inside to see the progress being made.

“We’re one year away from opening the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library behind us, it will open on our nation’s 250th birthday, July 4 2026, ” said Matt Briney, chief communications and marketing officer for Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora.

Bully! The rush is on to get the library named in honor or our 25th Vice President and 26th President of the United States finished on time.

Even current Vice President J.D. Vance had to stop by this past Fourth of July weekend to get a glimpse of the work in action.

“The building as you can see if moving along quite well. The roof, the green roof, which is going to be planted, we’ve already started to install all the plugs to that. You can see the skylights are taking shape. Behind you, you can probably see the breezeway has been enclosed for the winter that is all going to come down this later this summer and the glass will be installed.”

There are 400 workers on site doing everything from framing up the drywall to getting the spaces ready for massive exhibits.

And outside, work on a walking path designed to integrate the building into the landscape and the natural beauty of the area.

This is the view you’ll get from the walking paths on the roof and from the 300 seat auditorium. Hello, Badlands!

At the library’s field office in downtown Medora, across from the post office, you can see a large cardboard replica of the library along with blueprints and snapshots of the construction process and progress.

A friendly guide will even fill you in on the latest happenings and answer any questions you might have.

If Glenn is there, just try to stump him on presidential libraries…he’s a big fan.

When the library opens, don’t expect to see President Theodore Roosevelt’s collection of documents, diaries, and scrapbooks.

Those are in the Library of Congress and his alma mater, Harvard University.

This library will include his journal that he wrote before he came to North Dakota, his pocketwatch and guns and other various things.

This will be an experience for the 21st century.

“We are going to have what we call adventure galleries. These are things where we’re going to take you into TR’s world. Take you into the Elkhorn cabin, we’re going to take you up Kettle Hill in Cuba, we’re going to take you into TR’s White House where you’re going to see if you make the same decisions he did.”

And T.R. is about to come alive again, thanks to AI, artificial intelligence.

“There is going to be an exhibit called “Leadership in Action in the Presidency” where you’re actually going to be able to talk to T.R. and you’re going to be able, he’s going to ask questions. You’re going to be on his cabinet and you’re going to advise him on an issue and see if you would do the same thing that he did.”

A new chapter for the man who created a new chapter for America and famously said, “I have always said I would not have been President had it not been for my experience in North Dakota”.

Briney said, “And we’re all on track to open this thing July 4, 2026.”

There will be five days of events around the opening of the library and they will be announced later this year.

You can find more information on the social media accounts and website for the T.R. Presidential Library.