The WRMA was a founded 2 days after Theodore Roosevelts death in 1919. Their efforts included rebuilding the birthplace and childhood home of the 26th President, creating scholarships and educational programs for adults and children, and producing several publications whose subject was the late President. Two days after the death of Theodore Roosevelt on January 6, 1919, a group of New York women met to organize a memorial association. At the first formal meeting, held at the residence of Mrs. John Henry Hammond thirteen days later, an Investigating Committee of five was established to determine the direction the memorial organization should take. On the committee were Mrs. Robert Bacon, Mrs. Ripley Hitchcock, Mrs. A. Barton Hepburn, Mrs. Charles A. Bryan and Mrs. John Henry Hammond, with Mrs. William Demorest as an ex-officio member. By the initial meeting on January 19, the membership numbered 154, and on January 25 the Association was incorporated under the laws of New York State. Weekly meetings were held and committees and officers were elected as the Woman's Roosevelt Memorial Association (WRMA) established itself. The objectives of the Woman's Roosevelt Memorial Association were twofold. Initially the women would rebuild the birthplace and childhood home of Theodore Roosevelt as it stood in 1858 when the future president was born. The Roosevelt House was located at 28 East 20th Street and was connected with the adjoining building. Secondly, the women wished "to establish a national centre of Americanism to perpetuate for all Americans the Americanism which Theodore Roosevelt typified. By the spring of 1920 the property at 26 and 28 East 20th Street was purchased and the building plans were complete. One half of the site was to be a replica of the original Roosevelt house and the other half was to be used as a museum and library. Contributions to the building fund ranged from pennies donated by school children to large individual donations up to $5,000. On January 6, 1921, the second anniversary of Theodore Roosevelt's death, the cornerstone of the Roosevelt House was laid at 28 East 20th Street. Furnishings original to the Roosevelt House and other pieces of the same period were actively sought and acquired prior to the dedication on October 27, 1923. The composition of the 1 Woman's Roosevelt Memorial Bulletin 1, no. 1 (December 1919): 1 Finding Aid Women’s Roosevelt Memorial Association Records – THRB 4296 Page 7 National Park Service: Manhattan Sites officers and board of directors is outlined in the Woman's Roosevelt Memorial Bulletin and the Roosevelt House Annual. In order to present to schoolchildren the unique vitality of Theodore Roosevelt's patriotism the Woman's Roosevelt Memorial Association conducted a national educational movement. Among the activities of this movement was the establishment of Roosevelt House Scholarships. Each Roosevelt State Committee conducted an annual contest for the best essay on Theodore Roosevelt, his character, interests or activities. The winning essay in each state would compete for one of three Roosevelt House Scholarships. The WRMA also sponsored an essay contest for the students of New York's public schools. Essay topics included "TR the Rough Rider," "TR's Life," and "TR's Contribution to American History." Each school submitted its best essay from grades six through twelve to compete for the Theodore Roosevelt Medallion. The Woman's Roosevelt Memorial Association and the Roosevelt Memorial Association (RMA), both organized to perpetuate the memory of Theodore Roosevelt, reached an agreement with respect to their individual goals and daily activities. A Memorandum of Agreement between the two memorial associations was signed on May 9, 1924. The terms of the agreement provided the RMA with rent-free space in the Roosevelt House for nine hundred and ninety-nine years to display publicly their collection of books, manuscripts and photographs, and to provide office space for the staff necessary to maintain the collection. The Roosevelt Memorial Association changed its name to the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) on May 21, 1953. The WRMA and the TRA signed an Agreement for Consolidation on January 6, 1955. This agreement was authorized by an act of Congress and approved by President Eisenhower on March 29, 1956. The combined organization retained the name of the Theodore Roosevelt Association and remained true to the goals of both organizations. http://mhsarchive.org/FullImages/THRBWRMA-Finding-Aid.pdf Theodore Roosevelts Childhood home 28 east 20th street Manhattan Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt With the assassination of President William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, not quite 43, became the 26th and youngest President in the Nation’s history (1901-1909). Not to be confused with Franklin D Roosevelt. As stated in biography's, they were 5th cousins. Having a related Paternal relative in common. (Nicolas Roosevelt) Franklin D Roosevelt as a distant cousin later become a nephew-in-law, when he married Teddy’s niece, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Post any related items.
