Theodore Roosevelt Monument Assemblage
The stones and other objects are meant to each represent a "chapter" and together form a "book" telling the story of Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States.
The full text of the plaque from the 1991 rededication follows, with description of the monument as a whole and individual objects and stones:
The Book of Theodore Roosevelt's Life Written in Rocks Chapter 1.
Civil Service commissioner of NYC stone from Roosevelt House.
Police Commissioner of NYC brick from Mulberry Street Station where Roosevelt made history.
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Boulder from Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C.
A native rock Theodore Roosevelt in his big stick and square deal.
Battle fleet round world 7 inch shell from US Navy, for his biggest peace move.
From Montauk Point where col. Roosevelt agreed to run as Governor of New York State.
From United States Navy, President Roosevelt's great peace move.
At the heart of the monument is the first and largest of the boulders, dedicated on Palm Sunday, April 13, 1919.
the Great American PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES 1901-1908 Planted Palm Sunday 1919 A.D. by Paul Brorstrom Paul Brorstrom assembled a collection of boulders in his Kings Park estate to write the life of President Roosevelt in rocks.
Three boulders formed the nucleus for the monument dedicated at his Great Neck estate on June 10, 1922.
One boulder was taken from Sagamore Hill recognizing Roosevelt's ties to Oyster Bay where his home was located.
The second boulder was taken from San Juan Hill where Col. Roosevelt led a famous charge with his Rough Riders in the Spanish–American War.
The final boulder from the Adirondack Mountains served as a reminder of where Roosevelt was upon being informed he would become president of the United States.
[1] These were maintained in Kings Point by John Eggers, who, at the desire of the family, presented them to the town.
The three original stones grew to a collection of 24 items including the first boulder dedicated immediately after Roosevelt's death, the three additional boulders dedicated in 1922, and several other boulders, stones, bricks, a large granite step, and other items relating to Roosevelt's life story and political accomplishments.
The first from the United States Navy, recognizing Roosevelt's "great peace move, battle fleet round the world" was presented in 1921 by M.B.
James L. Dowsey of Manhasset, former Nassau County attorney and Republican leader of the town of North Hempstead, who had made a dedication speech twenty-five years ago on the Brorstrom estate, was the principal speaker.
The gathering was attended by 100 township officials, friends of the late President, members of his family, and a delegation of social science teachers of Nassau County headed by Jesse Merritt, county historian.
Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., who died in the battlefield in Normandy in World War II, made an address of acceptance for the family.
The park had been presented formally by the Theodore Roosevelt Association to the Town of Oyster Bay on January 1, 1943.
Further changes to the memorial involved more additions or re-arrangement of existing items between 1947 and present day.
Evidence of this comes from a New York Times article published on October 26, 1947, that refers to "A rock from Wilcox House, Buffalo, makes Chapter 12.
Several plaques describing the source of artifacts and stones have been removed and presumably stolen.
The ground the memorial is situated upon tends to get moist very easily and standing water is frequently visible.
