August 14, 2026
The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opened on Jul 4, 2026, after more than 12 years of planning. Medora, North Dakota, was already a great place to learn about Theodore Roosevelt through the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, The Teddy Roosevelt Show, and the Medora Musical. The new Presidential Library takes that experience to another level, offering visitors a deeper understanding of Roosevelt's life, character, presidency, and lasting legacy.
All Fifty Club member Liana Prior visited the Library just a couple of weeks after it opened. She said it was busy, but with the timed tickets that she and others purchased in advance, it didn't feel crowded. Liana spent a couple of hours exploring the Library, but said she could have easily stayed longer! Based on her review below, I'd go as far as to say this is a must-see when you go to North Dakota!
by Liana Prior
If there’s one word that describes the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, it’s immersive. This isn’t a museum where you simply read plaques and admire artifacts. Instead, I was able to experience the events that shaped Theodore Roosevelt’s life.
Located just outside Medora in the North Dakota Badlands, the library is a destination itself. The stunning architecture blends into the environment. The building rises out of a butte, and the roof is covered in prairie vegetation.
One of the first things I noticed prior to entering the building was the open breezeway, which looks directly toward the railroad tracks where Roosevelt arrived in Medora. Upon entering the building, wood finishes, soaring ceilings, numerous skylights, and floor-to-ceiling windows created an airy atmosphere. Some of the walls mirror the rock striations found in the badlands, reinforcing the connection between the building and the surrounding environment.
I registered my name and email to receive a Compass Bracelet. Throughout the library, I could tap the bracelet on matching compass icons to unlock interactive experiences. Depending on the exhibit, the bracelet triggered special effects, created personalized historical photos featuring my image in Roosevelt’s world, and activated hands-on activities. It’s a clever use of technology that encourages visitors to engage throughout the museum. I received an email containing the images and activities captured using the bracelet.
The exhibits are easy to navigate in chronological order and use light, sound, architecture, and multimedia to create a journey. The experience began in a cozy library lined with shelves of books and other artifacts. From there, the museum opened into a bright, expansive main gallery.
Off the main gallery were exhibits depicting different time periods in Roosevelt’s life. One of my most memorable exhibits was one that recreated Roosevelt’s journey west by train. Visitors sit in train seats while a panoramic video outside the “windows” shows the changing scenery. The room gently rumbles, making it feel like you are traveling across the country.
This immersive feel continued throughout the gallery, including:
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a dark gallery conveying the grief in Roosevelt’s life when he lost his wife and his mother on the same day in 1884
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a log cabin exhibit illustrating how life on the frontier shaped Roosevelt’s resilience, confidence, and conservation ideals
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exhibits highlighting Roosevelt’s political career from his start in the New York State Assembly to his two terms as President of the United States
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an immersive, large-format presentation of Roosevelt’s Amazon expedition, emphasizing his continued passion for exploration and conservation
Outside, the building's most unusual feature is its gently sloping design, which allows visitors to walk directly onto the roof without climbing any stairs. I walked across the prairie-grass-covered roof and took in the views of the surrounding area. From there, I could aksi see the many outdoor trails that lead from the building.
As a whole, the library does more than tell the story of a president. It gave me a glimpse into the man behind the legacy. I came away with a much better sense of who Theodore Roosevelt was and why his time in North Dakota mattered so much. If you’re visiting Medora, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is well worth the stop.
Know before you go:
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Purchase tickets in advance. Timed-entry tickets can sell out. The day I visited, both the 9 am and 10 am entry times were full.
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Plan to spend 2-3 hours in the museum itself. Allot extra time if you want to walk the outdoor trails.
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Great for families. The exhibits are all immersive and hands-on, which will keep visitors of all ages engaged.
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On-site restaurant.
