Today, February 16, happens to be Presidents’ Day. Unlike many locations across the nation, those found in the Mid-Atlantic region tend to be closer to many well-known presidential destinations. From original homes and residences to meaningful monuments, buildings, and other storied structures forever linked to former Commanders in Chief, there is no shortage of options for Mid-Atlantic residents (and visitors to the area) looking to score a presidential-themed tour. What gets tricky, though, is differentiating between the actual president-linked options and those that were named in honor of former leaders.
Does it really matter, though? You are still paying tribute to a destination’s specific namesake by visiting. Furthermore, you get to enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding day trip all in one! That’s certainly the case when visiting various state and recreational parks, especially when your long, overdue visit follows a long winter’s chill that kept you inactively indoors for far too long! My personal pick for Presidents’ Day perusing is an outdoor exploration of Theodore Roosevelt Island.
This rather exotic National Park designation, located along the Potomac River right within the limits of Washington, D.C., has been dubbed “a living memorial” ever since its formal establishment back in the 1930s. That was when the majority of natural, restorative efforts transformed the once-abandoned island into a collective compilation of human-induced “real forest” areas. It was a novel endeavor—one that the 26th President of the United States would have highly approved of, given his strong sentiments toward nature and conservation.
Yet, it’s also worth noting that the vast, rich history of the small, 88.5-acre island predates by far its formal National Park status and overall transformative tribute to Roosevelt. Early records indicate that the Nacotchtank Indians briefly lived on the island in 1668, coining it “Anacostine.” By 1682, the island was patented by Captain Randolph Brandt (or Brunett). It passed to his daughter Margaret Hammersley upon his death in 1698 or 1699.
The Mason family (starting with George Mason III in 1724) became the longtime owners of the island for more than a century. John Mason built the famed mansion on the island sometime around 1796. As an active member of the Agricultural Society of Georgetown and the Columbia Agricultural Society of Washington, he also planted crops for sale and lavish gardens.
After the Masons, John Carter became the island’s new owner in 1842. Carter died less than a decade later, in 1851, and the island was passed to William A. Bradley.
During the Civil War era, the island was occupied by Union forces, later to become the U.S. Army training camp called Camp Greene. Then, following President Lincoln’s allowance of African Americans to join the U.S. Army, the island was used to train the first soldiers of the 1st United States Colored Infantry between 1864 and 1865.
The island got active use yet again during the Spanish-American War. In 1898, the grounds were used by the gas light company for testing dynamite and other explosives. The island continued under the ownership of the Washington Gas Light Company from 1913 to 1931. At this time, growth and untamed vegetation remained unchecked and largely unmanaged, and therefore sprouted into being as an untamed wilderness. That was when the Theodore Roosevelt Association purchased the site with inspiring intentions to not only clean up shop but to establish a lasting tribute to Roosevelt himself. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Recreational seekers of today will find plenty of simple pastime pleasures to delight in on a low-key exploration of the island and thriving forestry. From hiking and running to picnicking, nature watching, kayaking, canoeing, and more, it is a peaceful, tranquil ambiance to come by. There are also free ranger-led tours conducted on Saturday mornings.
Funds were designated by Congress in 1960, and the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. A 17-foot memorial statue of Roosevelt, designed by Eric Gugler and sculpted by Paul Manship, was dedicated on October 27, 1967.
Theodore Roosevelt Island can be accessed at any time of year and in any season by footbridge from a parking lot along the Virginia bank of the Potomac River. Its location is just north of the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge. Although the park remains open year-round, visitors should note that the island’s public restrooms are closed between October and April.
Learn more about Theodore Roosevelt Island on the website.