Photo: Adam Lindquist as Teddy Roosevelt

By Haley Brickner - Boreal Community Media - June 23, 2025

When Adam Lindquist steps onto the stage in his Rough Rider hat and spectacles, audiences feel as though they're meeting Theodore Roosevelt himself.

Lindquist, a nationally recognized Roosevelt impersonator and scholar, will bring the 26th president to life at Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center on June 29. His interactive performance, “Teddy Roosevelt – The Wilderness Warrior,” will dive into Roosevelt’s love of nature, his conservation legacy, and the personal stories that shaped a president.

Lindquist’s journey into character began not in theater, but in a moment of serendipity. “I’m not an actor,” he told Boreal Community Media. “I’m just a ham.” After shaving his goatee one day, he noticed a striking resemblance to Roosevelt. What began as a one-off appearance at a school grew into a calling that now takes him across the country to perform for over 200,000 people annually.

To portray Roosevelt authentically, Lindquist has spent years studying the president’s life, writings, and mannerisms. He and a group of fellow TR impersonators even gather each year to exchange research and ensure their portrayals remain historically accurate. “You want to portray him as a man you’re glad led the country, not as a caricature,” Lindquist said.

Roosevelt’s conservation legacy - founding the U.S. Forest Service, saving over 230 million acres of wild land, and creating the National Wildlife Refuge System - deeply resonates with Lindquist, who is also a devoted nature lover and passionate about protecting the outdoors. Lindquist has used his platform to raise millions for conservation causes.

The Chik-Wauk program will include laughter, storytelling, and Q&A to keep kids (and adults) engaged. Lindquist encourages guests to bring Roosevelt-related stories or artifacts.

Event Info
Teddy Roosevelt – The Wilderness Warrior
Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center
Sunday, June 29 | 2–3 p.m.