The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Badlands of America opened on America’s 250th birthday, July 4, 2026. It is anticipated that between 150,000 and 200,000 visitors a year will walk through the 8600sqm building in Medora, North Dakota.
It fits the Badlands landscape, overlooks Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and there is a cultural hiking loop boardwalk.
+ It is designed to be the only carbon-neutral presidential library in the world. On certification, it will be the only Living Certified presidential library — and the largest and most complex Living Certified cultural institution in the world.
+ The main building materials are timber, rammed earth and low-carbon concrete.
+ It is completely powered by 216 geothermal wells and solar panels.
+ To pay for it, the State chipped in US$50 million, but US$354 million has been raised privately, and that campaign continues.
THE RIGHT THING
Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th President of the USA, from 1901 to 1909. He brought progressive leadership, broke up business monopolies, championed the construction of the Panama Canal and prioritised environmental conservation.
Medora was pivotal in shaping his love for nature.
As the man himself said: “The best thing you can do is the right thing.”
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