New York Assemblymember Charles Lavine is calling on President Donald Trump to reverse staffing cuts that have reduced public access to one of the nation’s key historic landmarks—Sagamore Hill, the home of President Theodore Roosevelt in Oyster Bay.
In a letter dated March 30, Lavine expressed frustration over the site’s restricted hours, attributing them to the Trump administration’s firing of nearly 1,000 National Park Service workers. Lavine urged the president to recognize the national significance of Sagamore Hill and order a full restoration of its operating schedule.
“Sagamore Hill is at least as nationally significant as an Oklahoma Social Security office,” Lavine wrote, referring to reports that another federal office avoided closure only after intervention by Republican Congressman Tom Cole and businessman Elon Musk. Lavine contrasted that with his own lack of “personal relationships” but appealed to the shared value of preserving historic sites.
Sagamore Hill served as the summer White House for Roosevelt and remains a symbol of American heritage. Lavine emphasized Roosevelt’s enduring legacy on conservation, campaign finance reform, and American identity, quoting the 26th president’s definition of “Americanism” as loyalty to the republic over ethnic or religious background.
Lavine’s letter was followed by a press release on March 31, which underscored concerns that limiting access to Sagamore Hill diminishes the public’s connection to a president who helped shape modern American values. The press release reaffirmed Lavine’s commitment to protecting historical landmarks, particularly those within his Long Island district.
The staffing cuts and resulting reduction in service hours have sparked broader questions about the federal government’s priorities for public lands and cultural preservation. Lavine’s letter appeals to Trump not only as a decision-maker but as someone with the authority to preserve national treasures.
Whether the administration will respond remains to be seen, but Lavine’s call highlights the tangible local impacts of federal staffing decisions and the bipartisan value of American history.
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