Medora, N.D. – The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is more than halfway through construction, as the facility remains on track to open its doors near Medora next year.
The grand opening is set for July 4th 2026, the same day the United States was born 250 years ago.
“It’s really starting to look like a building that’s taking shape,” Matt Briney, the library’s Chief Marketing Officer told The Flag’s Steve Hallstrom.
In 2019, then-Governor Doug Burgum signed a bill granting $50 million in state endowments for construction, so long as the library raised another $100 million in private donations.
Listen: Matt Briney on The Flag’s The Steve Hallstrom Show
During the past legislative session this year, lawmakers proposed adding an additional $70 million dollars in state funding and loans but the bill was pulled.
Briney says they plan to spend 75-percent of their available funding “in the next three months” suggesting it’s been a “challenge” to manage construction with existing funds.
Briney says the exterior, which includes the planting of the “green” roof that people can walk on, is completed, as the focus turns to the inside.
“There’s still a lot to do on the exhibits,” said Briney.
Briney says the library is also continuing to fundraise, adding that there’s “always a need” to accept more.
The library also plans to launch its inaugural library membership program this summer.
“We’d love to have as many Americans as we can come on board and join us in the arena,” said Briney.
