The Equestrian Statue of Theodore Roosevelt, standing on the John Russell Pope Central Park West Staircase leading up to the
American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) was dedicated on October 27, 1940. Sculptor James Earle Fraser's 10-foot tall bronze statue sits atop architect John Russell Pope's 8-foot, 8-inch high granite base. The work, which was acquired by the City of New York through a provision of the New York state legislature, depicts Teddy Roosevelt on horseback as both a hunter and explorer. He is flanked by the figures of two guides, one Native American and one African, meant to symoblize the continents of America and Africa. The Native American figure is striding forward wearing a feather headdress, moccasins and a long sarong around his waist. The African figure is striding forward with a cloth draped over his proper right shoulder and a gun in his proper right hand. Roosevelt grasps the reins of his horse in his proper left hand and reaches back with his proper right hand as if to grab the gun which he wears in a holster around his waist.
The American Museum of Natural History was founded in 1869. Theodore Roosevelt, Sr., the father of Theodore Roosevelt, was one of the founders.
National Register #76001235 (1976)
