(WNY News Now) – New York Assemblymember Charles Lavine is urging President Trump to restore full public access to Sagamore Hill after staffing cuts forced a reduction in hours at the historic home of Theodore Roosevelt.
ALBANY, NEW YORK – In response to the cutting of hours at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, New York State Assembly Judiciary Committee Chair Charles Lavine (D-North Shore, Long Island) has written President Trump a letter expressing deep concern. The reduction, which will limit the public’s ability to visit the former Oyster Bay home of President Theodore Roosevelt, comes as a direct result of the Trump administration’s firing of nearly 1,000 National Park Service employees. In his letter, Lavine notes the obvious value of the historical landmark and seeks President Trump’s assistance in the full restoration of its hours.
The full content of the letter is attached.
Dear President Trump:
I have been in the New York State Assembly for two redistrictings. When asked what I preferred to remain in the 13th District, my only request has been that the Sagamore Hill National Historic Site in Oyster Bay stay in the community I am privileged to represent.
Its hours are now restricted because you fired 1,000 National Park Service workers.
At the same time, DOGE ordered closure of a Social Security office in Republican Congressman Tom Cole’s district. Cole now boasts that the office will remain open due to his personal relationships with you and Elon Musk.
Theodore Roosevelt was one of our greatest presidents. He championed campaign finance reform, consumer protections, created the Forest Service, denounced the Russian Czar’s murderous pogroms, and fought against monopolies.
Roosevelt believed that “Americanism is a matter of the spirit and of the soul. Our allegiance must be purely to the United States. We must unsparingly condemn any man who holds any other allegiance. But if he is heartily and singly loyal to this Republic, then no matter where he was born, he is just as good an American as anyone else.”
Roosevelt’s spirit of Americanism is every bit as consequential today as it was more than a century ago.
President Theodore Roosevelt’s home is a unique American treasure. Interestingly, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, another great American, did a lot of her growing up in that magnificent house.
While I certainly lack Tom Cole’s personal relationships with either Musk or you, I sense that you would agree that Sagamore Hill is at least as nationally significant as an Oklahoma Social Security office, and I therefore respectfully urge that you order a full restoration of its hours.
Sincerely,
Charles Lavine
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