Schumer Calls on National PARK Service to Release Operating Funds to Buffalo’s Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic SITE – the ONLY National PARK SITE THAT HAS NOT YET Received Annual...

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site – Where Then-Vice President Theodore Roosevelt Took The Oath Of Office To Become America’s 26 th President – Needs Annual Congressionally-Approved Funds to Pay Bills And Staff Schumer Says: As We Celebrate America’s 250 th Birthday, We Must Ensure This Treasured Buffalo Historical Site Remains Accessible To The Public Schumer To NPS: Release Annual Funds For Vital Site For This Jewel Of American History Here In Western NY U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today called on the National Park Service (NPS) to release this year's funds for Buffalo’s Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site. The site, which is a National Historic Site, says it is the only unit in the entire National Park System that has not received its congressionally appropriated FY26 operating funds. With the end of the fiscal year quickly approaching at the end of September, the site’s leadership says it needs these funds to cover its bills, pay staff, and ensure the public can continue to access one of Western New York’s treasured historical sites. Schumer called on the NPS to immediately release the site’s funds and explain why this site has been the last left without funding this far into the fiscal year. “As a place of tragedy and the transition of presidential power, the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site holds a special place in the hearts of Buffalonians and the nation. As the place where the assassinated President McKinley tragically passed away, and President Roosevelt took the oath of office to become our 26 th president, this home tells the story of the origins of a presidency that reshaped the country,” said Senator Schumer. “The site relies on federal funding to cover its bills and pay staff, but its leadership says it is the only unit in the entire National Park System that has not received its allocated federal funding. That makes no sense and is unacceptable. As we celebrate America’s 250 th birthday, it’s more important than ever to preserve our country’s rich history. That’s why I’m calling on the NPS to immediately release the congressionally appropriated support needed to keep this historic house’s doors open so Americans can continue to access one of New York’s, and the nation’s, treasured historical sites.” The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site is the house where, on September 14, 1901, Theodore Roosevelt took the oath of office following the assassination of President William McKinley, becoming the 26th President of the United States. Thanks to decades of local activism and preservation work, the house has been preserved for generations and now operates as a unit of the National Park System. The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site relies on Congressionally appropriated funds for approximately one-third of its operating budget. The delay of its allocated funds has postponed the completion of essential work, including replacement of a 16-year-old HVAC system and repairs to the building's historic Victorian roof. These upgrades are desperately needed to ensure the aging building’s integrity and to continue providing the optimal visitor and staff experience at the site. Schumer said the NPS must release the site’s funds without further delay and asked why this site is the only NPS site without its annual federal funding and what the NPS will do to ensure a delay like this never happens again. Schumer’s letter to Acting National Park Service Director Jessica Bowron can be found HERE or below: Dear Acting Director Bowron, I write to urge the immediate release of Fiscal Year 2026 operating funds to the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site in Buffalo, New York. According to Site Superintendent Spencer Morgan, this site is now the only unit in the entire National Park System that has not received its congressionally appropriated FY26 operating funds with the end of the fiscal year fast approaching. If the site does not receive these funds by the end of September, it risks being unable to cover its bills and meet payroll, threatening not only the continued operation of the site and employment of the staff, but also public access to one of New York’s, and the nation’s, treasured historical sites. As a place of tragedy and the transition of presidential power, the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site holds a special place in the hearts of Buffalonians, the nation, and Roosevelt history buffs alike. It is the house where, on September 14, 1901, Theodore Roosevelt took the oath of office following the tragic assassination of President William McKinley, becoming the 26th President of the United States. It stands today, preserved for generations since Roosevelt’s tenure, thanks to decades of local activism and preservation work. It now operates as a unit of the National Park System as a testament to a pivotal moment and person in our nation's history. This site is not only one of great historic significance, but it also provides meaningful, ongoing value to the Buffalo community. It attracts visitors from far and wide – boosting the local economy, offering free field trips for local students, and educating the public on the origins of a presidency that reshaped the country. The site relies on the National Park Service for roughly a third of its operating budget, and the prolonged delay in receiving its promised FY26 funds has delayed the completion of essential work, including replacement of a 16-year-old HVAC system and repairs to the building's historic Victorian roof. These upgrades are desperately needed to ensure the aging building’s integrity and to continue providing the optimal visitor and staff experience at the site. Reports suggest that National Park Service maintenance funds have been redirected to support America250 celebrations in Washington, D.C. While our nation’s semi-quincentennial is an important milestone to honor, it must not come at the expense of the continued maintenance, preservation, and operation of our many other historic sites and protected places across the country. In Buffalo, the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site cannot meet payroll or complete vital maintenance and preservation projects without its congressionally appropriated FY26 funds. I therefore urge the National Park Service to release the site's FY26 operating funds without further delay, and request that you provide my office with a clear timeline for disbursement. I would also appreciate an explanation of why this site, alone among all National Park Service units nationwide, has been left without its funding this far into the fiscal year, and what steps the agency is taking to ensure this does not happen again. The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site belongs to every American as a piece of our shared history. It deserves the timely support Congress has provided for it, especially as America celebrates our 250th anniversary. Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your response. ###