Plans are underway for what is expected to be the largest celebration in North Dakota in years: the dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. The event, scheduled for July 1 to 5, 2025, will feature thousands of attendees, including dignitaries and representatives from all living U.S. presidents, marking a significant occasion in conjunction with the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations.
Preliminary estimates suggest that attendance could reach between 20,000 and 40,000 participants over the course of the event. VIP guests, including major donors and members of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation, will have exclusive access to the library during the initial days of the celebration. The general public will gain entry starting on July 5, 2025, with regular admissions commencing on July 12, 2025.
Significant Publicity Boost
The opening has received a notable publicity boost, as National Geographic recently named the North Dakota Badlands among its “Best of the World” travel destinations for 2026. The magazine highlighted the presidential library as a key draw, stating it “reflects a complex man — and an enigmatic landscape.”
The challenges of hosting such a large event will test the resources of Medora, a small tourist town with a population of just 160 people in Billings County. The town is known for its attractions, including the Medora Musical and its proximity to Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Medora Police Chief Russel Lapp acknowledged the anticipation surrounding the event, describing it as “a lifetime opportunity to be part of something this immense.” He and Billings County Sheriff Dean Wyckoff have started coordinating with state officials and law enforcement agencies to manage the expected surge in visitors.
Infrastructure Enhancements for Safety
With the influx of visitors, local law enforcement and emergency services will face significant demands. Sheriff Wyckoff noted that previous events, including the recent oil boom, have prepared the area for increased activity, but the library dedication will present unique challenges.
Efforts are underway to enhance local infrastructure, including improvements to emergency access routes. The U.S. Forest Service is collaborating with county officials and the library foundation to upgrade a two-mile path that will serve as an emergency exit from the library and the nearby Burning Hills Amphitheater. This route will be improved with gravel or scoria to accommodate both pedestrians and emergency vehicles.
Additionally, Chateau Road, the sole paved access to the hilltop, will gain a third lane to facilitate smoother traffic flow.
Historic Crowds Expected
The dedication of the library will evoke memories of the dedication of what was then known as Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park on June 4, 1949. That event attracted an estimated 20,000 to 60,000 attendees, with around 30,000 being the most commonly cited figure.
Chief Communications Officer for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation, Matt Briney, emphasized that the current planning will allow for better crowd control than in the past. The celebration will feature speeches broadcasted to a wide audience and three nights of drone shows, visible over a large area, promising to be a spectacular visual display.
Construction of the library, with a budget of $450 million, is nearing completion. Briney mentioned that the building, covering 96,000 square feet, is nearly enclosed, with only minor gaps remaining for machinery access. Interior construction is ongoing, with plans to install exhibits beginning in late January or early February 2025.
Briney expressed confidence in the project’s timeline, stating, “Everything’s on schedule. We’re moving right along. We will be working right up to the opening, but it is all on track.”
As Medora prepares for this landmark occasion, the dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is set to be a defining moment for the community and a significant event in the nation’s history.