https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/theodore-roosevelts-historic-pocket-watch-…
Theodore Roosevelt's Historic Pocket Watch Recovered
126-year-old watch was missing almost 40 years
FBI assisted NPS in recovering a stolen pocket watch that once belonged to
Theodore Roosevelt. Credit: Jason Wickersty, National Park Service
Photo Credit: Jason Wickersty, National Park Service
When a Florida auctioneer was asked to auction off a pocket watch from the
late 1800s, his research led him to believe that he may be holding a piece
of U.S. presidential history.
The auctioneer realized that the watch may have belonged to Theodore
"Teddy" Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States. He contacted
two historic sites closely associated with Roosevelt—Sagamore Hill National
Historic Site and Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site—who
confirmed the authenticity of the watch.
Roosevelt’s watch had been in possession of Sagamore Hill National Historic
Site since he died in 1919. They loaned the watch to the Theodore Roosevelt
Inaugural National Historic Site in 1971 for a six-year term to be shown in
an exhibition. The loan was extended, but, unfortunately, the watch was
reported stolen from the site in Buffalo, New York, on July 21,1987, and
wouldn’t be identified again until 2023 at the Florida auction house.
Since Sagamore Hill National Historic Site and the Theodore Roosevelt
Inaugural National Historic Site fall under the jurisdiction of the
National Park Service (NPS), they reached out to NPS to recover the stolen
artifact. NPS, the lead investigative agency, contacted the FBI Art Crime
team for additional assistance. Both the NPS and FBI confirmed that this
was the watch stolen almost 40 years earlier.
"This watch was a fairly pedestrian Waltham 17 jewel watch with an
inexpensive coin silver case. It's a 'Riverside' grade and model '1888'
with a hunter-style case, meaning it has a lid on either side which fold
and encase the dial and the movement," said Special Agent Robert Giczy, a
member of the FBI Art Crime Team who investigated the provenance of the
watch in this case.
"The repatriation of the watch would not have been possible without the
close collaboration between the FBI and NPS. This partnership ensured that
this historic treasure could be returned safely for future generations to
enjoy."
Special Agent Robert Giczy
Roosevelt had many pocket watches during his life, but this one is unique
due to its sentimental value. Roosevelt received this watch from his
youngest sister, Corinne Roosevelt Robinson, and his brother-in-law,
Douglas Robinson, Jr., prior to Roosevelt’s departure to Cuba during the
Spanish-American War. The inscription, which includes Corinne and Douglas'
initials, reads: "THEODORE ROOSEVELT FROM D.R. & C.R.R."
After NPS recovered the watch, they coordinated with the FBI to navigate
the asset forfeiture process. As Paralegal Specialist Kellie Dodd from the
FBI Tampa Field Office explained, this "allowed the FBI to begin the
process to return the watch back to the rightful owner, the Sagamore Hills
National Historic Site."
Roosevelt’s watch was returned to Sagamore Hills National Historic Site
during a repatriation ceremony in New York on June 27, 2024.
Representatives from the NPS and the FBI—to include our New York, Miami,
and Tampa field offices and members of the Art Crime team—attended.
"NPS does a great job in enforcing and recovering our national property,”]
said Special Agent Giczy. "The repatriation of the watch would not have
been possible without the close collaboration between the FBI and NPS. This
partnership ensured that this historic treasure could be returned safely
for future generations to enjoy."
What should you do if you discover art has been stolen from your gallery,
museum, or other institution?
Contact your local police department immediately.
Protect the scene of the crime—do not let staff or visitors into the area
to disturb evidence.
Determine the last time the objects were seen and what happened in the
area, or to the objects, since that time.
Gather documents, descriptions, and images of the missing objects and
provide to law enforcement.
Keep in touch with law enforcement for investigation updates.
Learn more
Resources
National Park Service News Release: Theodore Roosevelt’s Remarkable
126-Year-Old Pocket Watch Returns to Sagamore Hill After Theft, Recovery by
Federal Agencies
