UPDATE: Medora, North Dakota, is gearing up for a monumental celebration with the upcoming dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, set to take place from July 1 to 5, 2025. Officials anticipate a massive turnout, with estimates of 20,000 to 40,000 spectators, including all living U.S. presidents who have been invited to this historic event.
This dedication marks a key highlight in the nation’s celebration of its 250th birthday, and the excitement is palpable. Medora, a small tourist town with a population of just 160, is no stranger to large crowds but is bracing for an influx of visitors like never before.
Local law enforcement is on high alert as preparations ramp up. Medora Police Chief Russel Lapp expressed enthusiasm for the event, stating, “We’re eagerly anticipating final numbers. It’s kind of a lifetime opportunity to be part of something this immense.” To manage the anticipated crowds, law enforcement is coordinating with state agencies, ensuring adequate policing and emergency services are in place.
The attention around the library’s opening has been amplified following a recent feature by National Geographic, naming the North Dakota Badlands as one of its “Best of the World” travel destinations for 2026. The magazine highlighted the library’s significance, describing it as a reflection of both a “complex man” and an “enigmatic landscape.”
To facilitate the large crowds, planners are working on infrastructure improvements, including a new emergency route from the library site. The existing Chateau Road, the only paved route to the hilltop, will gain a third lane to accommodate increased traffic flow.
The festivities will kick off with exclusive events for VIPs and library supporters, leading up to public access beginning July 5. Previous events of this magnitude provide context for the expected turnout; a past dedication at the same site in 1949 drew between 20,000 to 60,000 attendees.
The library’s construction, budgeted at $450 million, is nearing completion, with the building set to be fully enclosed by mid-November. The final stages will include the installation of 50,000 square feet of exhibits, expected to start in early 2026.
The celebration will feature a day of speeches and remarks, to be broadcasted live, alongside three nights of spectacular drone shows visible from a wide area, promising to dazzle attendees.
As excitement builds in Medora, officials are reminding residents and visitors to prepare for the busy days ahead. The library not only serves as a tribute to President Theodore Roosevelt but is also expected to transform Medora into a must-see destination for years to come.
Stay tuned for updates as the event approaches and the excitement continues to build!
