Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site

The reconstructed brownstone at 28 East 20th Street is a museum depicting Roosevelt's childhood in New York. The three-story house contains period furnishings, artwork, and exhibits that document the life of a wealthy family during the 19th century.

The original house was built in 1848 and demolished in 1916 to make way for urban development. In 1923, architect Theodate Pope Riddle faithfully reconstructed it to preserve Roosevelt's birthplace for posterity.

The five restored rooms display furniture and decorations from the 1860s showing how the Roosevelt family lived at that time. Visitors can observe how wealthy households arranged and decorated their spaces during this period.

Admission is free and the museum offers guided tours through the rooms and exhibits. Visitors should note that the narrow staircases connecting the three floors require some physical effort to navigate.

The neighboring building at 26 East 20th Street served as an architectural reference for the reconstruction and was later demolished. This structure preserved important original details showing how the house appeared before its demolition in 1916.

Location: Manhattan

Inception: 1923

Architects: Theodate Pope Riddle

Address: 28 East 20th Street, New York, NY 10003

Website: https://nps.gov/thrb

GPS coordinates: 40.73871,-73.98902

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:01