There I was, face to face with President Theodore Roosevelt! Actually, it was Flint actor Brian Haggard, but he does a pretty mean impression of the former President. In his stiff, old-style accent, Haggard, as Roosevelt, told me all about the youngest President of the United States.
He says he came into office when President William McKinley was assasinated. Ironically, a few years later, Roosevelt was also shot. But the bullet lodged between his glasses case and a 30 page speech he was about to give, so it never penetrated his body. The speech went on without a hitch.
Teddy Roosevelt founded the National Park System. He also started the Rough Riders, a volunteer army that took on Spain in Cuba. And although his relative, Franklin D. Roosevelt was a proud Democrat, "TR" as he was known was a Republican.
His most famous line: "Speak softly and carry a big stick". And yup, that's him up there on Mount Rushmore.
I found President Roosevelt, er Brian Haggard, to be full of fun facts. When he put on his black derby, he looked a little bit like Uncle Pennybags from the Monopoly game.
He'll perform at "Quiz Night at the Museum with Tedddy Roosevelt" at the Flint Children's Museum on July 5 from 5 to 7 pm. The quiz will be geared toward children and their parents and will consist of questions about the great outdoors and conservation.
