Theodore Roosevelt’s Remarkable 126 Year-Old Pocket Watch Returns to Sagamore Hill After Theft, Recovery by Federal Agencies

Friday, June 28th, 2024

National Park Service Press Release
June 27, 2024

Photo courtesy of the National Park Service

Oyster Bay, N.Y. — A historic silver pocket watch that traveled the world with Theodore
Roosevelt during his presidency, including his charge up San Juan Hill and travels to
Africa and down the Amazon River, has returned to his family home at Sagamore Hill
National Historic Site.

This invaluable presidential timepiece, given to him by a family member in 1898, was
missing for 37 years after it was stolen while on loan from the National Park Service
(NPS) to a museum in Buffalo, NY in 1987. Beginning today, the watch will be featured in
an exclusive exhibit at the Old Orchard Museum, part of Sagamore Hill National Historic
Site, and available for free public viewing over the next three months.

The recovery of the President Roosevelt’s watch and return to NPS care was
announced today by NPS Director Chuck Sams who was joined by Roosevelt family
members during a special event at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site to celebrate its
return and thank NPS and FBI investigators for their work.
“It is an honor to have a role in preserving American history for current and future
generations to learn from,” National Park Service Director Chuck Sams said.
“Recovering and returning this remarkable piece of presidential history, a cherished
personal item of President Theodore Roosevelt, to its rightful home here at Sagamore Hill
reflects the dedication and hard work of NPS and partners in the spirit of preservation.”

The watch was recovered by NPS special agents with assistance from the FBI. It was
last on public display in 1987 at the Wilcox House, now known as the Theodore
Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site, in Buffalo, New York.
“Today, we are honored to return this extraordinary piece of Americana to its rightful
owner,” Assistant Director Michael Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative
Division said. “Despite the passage of time, in this case, almost four decades, the FBI
is committed to working with our partners to recover and preserve important pieces of
our cultural heritage that help bring history to life.”

“The stories this watch could tell over the last 126 years include colorful and profound
moments in American history,” said Superintendent Jonathan Parker of Sagamore Hill
National Historic Site. “Historic objects are powerful because they are literal participants
in historic events, and in the case of this storied watch, it is also a beloved family heirloom
of a renowned American president. Almost 40 years have passed since the public had last
seen President Roosevelt’s watch and we’re excited to place this watch back into the light
on public display.”

The pocket watch, part of the thousands of items originally gifted to the NPS by the
Roosevelt family through the Theodore Roosevelt Association in 1963, will remain in the
permanent museum collection of Sagamore Hill National Historic Site. Sagamore Hill
National Historic Site is one of 24 national parks in New York with about a dozen in the
immediate New York City area. Learn more about parks in New York on our New York
state web page: https://www.nps.gov/state/ny/index.htm

“For decades, the disappearance of this national treasure from the Theodore Roosevelt
Inaugural National Historic Site has plagued generations of staff and volunteers, many of
whom are no longer with us. Today we can finally close this chapter,” said, Spencer
Morgan, Executive Director at the TR Inaugural Site. “I would like to commend the staff
and volunteers at the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site for their active cooperation in this
investigation. We are proud that it was our team's professionalism and leadership that
assisted with bringing this watch back to Sagamore Hill. This happy ending is a testament
to the talent of the TR Site's employees and volunteers and I would like to thank the staff
who assisted in its journey home. We are grateful for our partners in the National Park
Service, Sagamore Hill, the FBI, and the Roosevelt Family.”

“The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Historic Site is one of the cultural jewels of Western
New York,” said Congressman Tim Kennedy. “Their critical role in securing the return of
this artifact is emblematic of their mission to preserve the details of our unique role in
history. With its return to its rightful home at Sagamore Hill, the story of our 26th President
can be more completely told.”

 About Sagamore Hill National Historic Site:
Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay, NY was the family home of Theodore Roosevelt, 26th
president of the United States, from 1885 until his death in 1919. During Roosevelt's
time in office, his "Summer White House" was the focus of international attention and
was designated part of the National Park System in 1962. Explore 83 acres of natural
surroundings, historic buildings and trails to become inspired by the legacy of one of
America's most popular presidents.

About Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site:
The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site is an affiliate site of the
National Park Service. The TR Site's mission is to preserve the home in Buffalo, New
York, where Theodore Roosevelt became the 26th President of the United States in
1901; promotes opportunities for the public to understand the historic events
surrounding the inauguration; and fosters discussion of Roosevelt, his presidency, and his
legacy. The TR Site is dedicated to promoting civic readiness and good citizenship. Go to
https://trsite.org

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