Theodore Roosevelt's Colt Revolver Comes Home

For release June 8, 2006                                  Contact Amy Verone at 516-922-4788

                                                                                                for more information.

 

Theodore Roosevelt’s Colt Pistol Comes Home

 

            A Colt revolver owned by Theodore Roosevelt and carried by him on the famous Charge on San Juan Hill during the Spanish American War in 1898 which had been stolen from the Old Orchard Museum in 1990 has apparently been recovered.  The revolver had been stolen from Sagamore Hill NHS in April, 1990.  Investigators from NPS Law Enforcement and agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation followed up on an anonymous tip and the revolver was recovered.  The revolver has been held by the FBI during the investigations and will now be returned to the site during a presentation on Wednesday, June 14th. 

            Chief of Cultural Resources, Amy Verone stated, “We need to verify that this is actually TR’s Colt. While the pictures and documentation look very good, we cannot be certain until we see the actual artifact and have experts confirm the identification.”

            The revolver had been taken from the old exhibit at Old Orchard which was dismantled in 2004.  The subsequent rehabilitation of Old Orchard included state of the art climate control, and alarm systems as well as fire suppression—all enhancing the security of the building.  At the same time all of other buildings and exhibits at Sagamore Hill received enhanced alarm and security devices.

            Superintendent Greg Marshall stated, “We will be pleased to see this cherished artifact come back home.  This revolver is one of the icons one associates with Theodore Roosevelt, along with his Rough Rider uniform and hat.”

            On Wednesday, June 14th at 1:00PM the FBI will return the pistol to Supt. Marshall at Sagamore Hill.  The presentation will take place on the porch of the home of the 26th president.

                        Directions to Sagamore Hill from the Long Island Expressway (I495):  Take Exit 41 North (106/107) and bear right at fork staying on 106.  Make a right turn onto 25A, Northern Blvd. (clearly marked by directional sign).  Go to the third stop light to Cove Road and make a left turn proceed to Cove Neck Road and make a right turn. Proceed to Sagamore Hill Road and park in lot at entrance to the site. Vehicles are not permitted on the grounds of the home.  Public restrooms are located in the Visitor Center. Presentation will be on the porch of the home.

 

**NPS**