From: New York Times, May 2, 1910
THEODORE Roosevelt gave today to an inspection of Dutch paintings and a study of the magnificent display of tulips, which are now almost at perfection. With the members of his family, the American minister and Mrs Beaupre, Paxton Hibben, Secretaris of the Legation, and Foreign Minister Van Swinderen the ex-president motored from The Hague to Haarlem. On either side of the road were thousands of acres of blooming tulips in great masses of color, and the air was heavy with perfume.
The national tulip show is now in progress at Haarlem, and President Krelage, and the directors received the party at the entrance. President Krelage informed Mr. Roosevelt that he was the 100,000th visitor this season, “a figure,” he added, “which may not impress an American but of which Bulbland is proud.”
He then presented the visitor with a silver model of the Half Moon, saying “You may call it the Half Moon or the Mayflower. Just as you like.”
In a brief address, Mr. Krelage described the exhibition and a tulip industry, pointing out that Holland ships to America 8,200,000 pounds of bulbs yearly.
In replying Mr. Roosevelt said, “Americans are especially struck in Holland by the way in which you, one of the hardest working of all peoples, contrive to add beauty and enjoyment to your lives. We in America have in the past had to work so hard that we have not always been able to pay as much attention as you to the things that tend for enjoyment. If one or the other must be sacrificed, we think that enjoyment should be sacrificed to work, but more and more we are growing to realize that beauty and enjoyment can be combined with work. Americans come here to see how you are able to combine them.”
After an inspection of the wonderful guidance, the party partook of luncheon and paid attention to the fine gallery of the town hall, groups of girls pelting them with flowers at the entrance. Mr. Roosevelt signed his name in the golden book.
From Haarlem, the automobiles brought the Americans to Amsterdam. They were received by the burgomaster at the Rijksmuseum, an imposing building covering nearly 3 acres of ground. Probably 5000 people were waiting in the public square, and this throng set up a hearty cheer on the arrival of the American visitors.
Director Van Riemsdyk conducted Mr. Roosevelt through the museum, pointing out the most important art treasures. He left the ex-president alone in the room where the master’s largest and most celebrated work “Night Watch,” painted in 1642, hangs. Mr Roosevelt spent nearly a quarter of an hour contemplating this great painting, and then visited the Six Gallery.
After dining with Secretary Hibben in Amsterdam, Mr. Roosevelt and his family boarded the train, which left at 9 o’clock for Copenhagen.
Copyright, The New York Times.
Immediately after leaving the White House in 1909, Dutch descendant Theodore Roosevelt and his wife went on a year-long journey around the world. He visited the Netherlands in May, 1910.
