FULL: On the Trail of Teddy Roosevelt
Thursday, September 10, 2026
The story of Teddy Roosevelt’s rise to the presidency landed him an infamous place in the Adirondack story. After an anarchist shot President William McKinley on September 6, 1901, while he attended the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, Vice President Teddy Roosevelt rushed to the president’s side from a speaking event in Vermont. McKinley’s health improved in the coming days, and so Roosevelt ventured to the High Peaks of the Adirondacks for a family vacation and to ease the public’s fears. Days later, McKinley’s condition worsened, forcing Roosevelt to undertake his “Midnight Ride” to eventually assume the presidency. On this tour marking the 125th anniversary of these events, follow the trail of Roosevelt’s ride starting at the recently-restored and AARCH Preservation Award-winning MacNaughton Cottage, where Roosevelt’s family stayed during his High Peaks vacation. Next, enjoy lunch and a guided tour at the Tahawus Club, where Roosevelt was an active member. After that, we will visit the site of Aiden Lair, a stopover point on Roosevelt’s journey between Newcomb and North Creek. Lastly, visit the North Creek Depot Museum, where Roosevelt learned of McKinley’s passing and boarded a train en route to becoming the 26th president of the United States.
This outing is led by Newcomb historian Donald Seauvageau, members of the Tahawus Club, and our friends from the North Creek Depot Museum. The tour starts at 10 AM and ends at 3 PM.
The fee is $65 for AARCH members and $80 for non-members.
Photo of MacNaughton Cottage, courtesy of Bill Amos. Photo of Teddy Roosevelt paddling, courtesy of Adirondack Experience.