Hey there, folks! Buckle up, because apparently, they're building a presidential library out in the Badlands of North Dakota. Yeah, you heard that right! They're bringing in the construction crew to create a swanky new crib for none other than Theodore Roosevelt. I mean, can you imagine? Teddy Roos having his own library? 🧐 Like, was he even into reading, or are they just hoping to store his epic mustache wax collection?

So, the big action started on June 15, when they decided it was time to dig in. And by dig in, I don't mean they pulled out some shovels and had a good ol' fashioned dirt-digging party. Nope, they were all about that "cut-fill plan" stuff. Now, I'm no construction expert, but it sounds like they're really just trying to make a hole in the ground and then fill it back up again. Innovation, right?

But wait, it gets better! They're starting with the east retaining wall. You know, because every good library needs a solid wall to keep out all those unruly book characters, right? And get this – they poured some concrete for it. Concrete! Not to be confused with marshmallow fluff or dreams.

Now, if you happen to be wandering around the vicinity of the Medora Musical (apparently a real thing, not just a typo) or that national park named after Teddy himself, you might stumble upon this 93-acre site of presidential dreams. Oh, and guess what? The Roosevelt family was like, "Sure, take 90 acres of U.S. Forest Service land. We got you." And it only cost them $81,000. No biggie.

But hey, if you thought the whole operation was gonna be cheap, think again! The bill for this shindig is expected to reach a whopping $180 million. Yeah, you read that right – they're basically putting a solid gold mustache on Teddy's library. And here's the kicker: they're gonna keep on trucking through the winter. I mean, who needs to stay cozy by the fire when you're busy building a library, right? Ed O'Keefe, the library CEO, was probably sipping hot cocoa while he quipped about how hardy and resilient they all are. 🌬️

Oh, and guess what's happening next spring? They're gonna get all fancy with it and bring in "mass timber and steel." I don't know about you, but that sounds like a hipster band that plays only in old libraries and abandoned warehouses.

Fast forward to next summer, and apparently, they're planning to have a structure that's "very substantial." Like, is this gonna be the library version of a protein shake? I can just imagine Teddy strutting around, flexing his biceps, saying, "Yeah, I bench-pressed that bookshelf myself."

Now, mark your calendars, people, because the grand opening is set for July 4, 2026. Yup, that's right – they're aiming for the 250th anniversary of America's founding. I can already picture Teddy riding in on a bald eagle, waving a mini flag and shouting, "Happy birthday, America! I brought my own books!"

And let's not forget the fundraising drama. They needed $100 million in private donations, and apparently, they've got a cool $200 million and counting. Who knew Teddy had such a fan club? 🐻

But wait, there's more! They got a $70 million line of credit just hanging out in case they need it. Like, isn't that what most of us do? Have a line of credit just in case we decide to build a presidential library on a whim?

And to top it all off, oil magnate Harold Hamm threw in $50 million. I guess when you're making it big in the oil field, a presidential library is just pocket change. Meanwhile, Governor Doug Burgum, who's apparently running for president (because why not?), also chipped in a million or so. You know, just to show his support for the library where Teddy can hang out with his cowboy hat and read up on bear wrestling techniques.

So, there you have it, folks! The Badlands are about to get a little bit fancier with Teddy's new reading nook. Who's up for a trip to North Dakota to catch the library fever? 📚🤠Hey there, folks! Buckle up, because apparently, they're building a presidential library out in the Badlands of North Dakota. Yeah, you heard that right! They're bringing in the construction crew to create a swanky new crib for none other than Theodore Roosevelt. I mean, can you imagine? Teddy Roos having his own library? 🧐 Like, was he even into reading, or are they just hoping to store his epic mustache wax collection?

So, the big action started on June 15, when they decided it was time to dig in. And by dig in, I don't mean they pulled out some shovels and had a good ol' fashioned dirt-digging party. Nope, they were all about that "cut-fill plan" stuff. Now, I'm no construction expert, but it sounds like they're really just trying to make a hole in the ground and then fill it back up again. Innovation, right?

But wait, it gets better! They're starting with the east retaining wall. You know, because every good library needs a solid wall to keep out all those unruly book characters, right? And get this – they poured some concrete for it. Concrete! Not to be confused with marshmallow fluff or dreams.

Now, if you happen to be wandering around the vicinity of the Medora Musical (apparently a real thing, not just a typo) or that national park named after Teddy himself, you might stumble upon this 93-acre site of presidential dreams. Oh, and guess what? The Roosevelt family was like, "Sure, take 90 acres of U.S. Forest Service land. We got you." And it only cost them $81,000. No biggie.

But hey, if you thought the whole operation was gonna be cheap, think again! The bill for this shindig is expected to reach a whopping $180 million. Yeah, you read that right – they're basically putting a solid gold mustache on Teddy's library. And here's the kicker: they're gonna keep on trucking through the winter. I mean, who needs to stay cozy by the fire when you're busy building a library, right? Ed O'Keefe, the library CEO, was probably sipping hot cocoa while he quipped about how hardy and resilient they all are. 🌬️

Oh, and guess what's happening next spring? They're gonna get all fancy with it and bring in "mass timber and steel." I don't know about you, but that sounds like a hipster band that plays only in old libraries and abandoned warehouses.

Fast forward to next summer, and apparently, they're planning to have a structure that's "very substantial." Like, is this gonna be the library version of a protein shake? I can just imagine Teddy strutting around, flexing his biceps, saying, "Yeah, I bench-pressed that bookshelf myself."

Now, mark your calendars, people, because the grand opening is set for July 4, 2026. Yup, that's right – they're aiming for the 250th anniversary of America's founding. I can already picture Teddy riding in on a bald eagle, waving a mini flag and shouting, "Happy birthday, America! I brought my own books!"

And let's not forget the fundraising drama. They needed $100 million in private donations, and apparently, they've got a cool $200 million and counting. Who knew Teddy had such a fan club? 🐻

But wait, there's more! They got a $70 million line of credit just hanging out in case they need it. Like, isn't that what most of us do? Have a line of credit just in case we decide to build a presidential library on a whim?

And to top it all off, oil magnate Harold Hamm threw in $50 million. I guess when you're making it big in the oil field, a presidential library is just pocket change. Meanwhile, Governor Doug Burgum, who's apparently running for president (because why not?), also chipped in a million or so. You know, just to show his support for the library where Teddy can hang out with his cowboy hat and read up on bear wrestling techniques.

So, there you have it, folks! The Badlands are about to get a little bit fancier with Teddy's new reading nook. Who's up for a trip to North Dakota to catch the library fever? 📚🤠