As we celebrate #America250 and the resilience of the United States’ Constitution, touring the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site provides a dramatic, real-world example of how the peaceful transfer of power functions, even in times of crisis. And, while Theodore Roosevelt’s 1901 inauguration took place in Buffalo, New York, the significance of the event reverberated across the country and around the globe!

Schools, teachers, and students who are too far away from Buffalo for an in-person visit now have a new, engaging, and interactive option – the TR Site’s Guided Virtual Tour. Accessed from the comfort of their own classroom, students and teachers are led through the museum by a virtual guide named Maria, who is occasionally joined by “Theodore Roosevelt”. Maria speaks three languages (English, Spanish, and French) and offers closed-captioning in many more (from Afrikaans to Ukrainian, and beyond). An AI-interface also allows students to ask questions as along the way.

The Guided Virtual Tour is targeted toward students in Grade 4 & above. It aligns with curriculum standards around the U.S. presidency, the U.S. Constitution, the Progressive Era, and civics. Carefully-curated links provide additional information, access to relevant artifacts, and are perfect for teachers looking to do a “deep dive” on this pivotal moment in history.