Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota Achieves Construction Milestone

The first phase of construction on the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, a future cultural destination located in the heart of the North Dakota Badlands, and the largest mass timber project in the state to date, has been completed. The library is set to open July 4, 2026.

Phase one construction began a year ago and is centered on the museum building and its dramatic roof structure of sweeping curves and complex geometry. The roof, designed to echo the rolling topography of the Badlands, required precisely engineered connections and joints, supported by steel wrapped in wood to maintain a seamless timber look. Phase two of construction began this month, with Mercer Mass Timber contributing canopies designed to support photovoltaic panels — enhancing the site’s sustainability and expanding mass timber use in outdoor architectural features. JE Dunn Construction is serving as the general contractor on the project.

Key project highlights

• Largest use of mass timber in North Dakota to date. MMT is supplying ~1,800 m³ of CLT and glulam for the 93,000-square-foot structure, including custom glulam connections supporting the museum’s curved roof.
• The mass timber provides a total carbon benefit of 3,031 metric tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to the energy to operate 320 homes for a year. The project is pursuing both LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge certification, with goals of net-zero energy, water, waste and emissions.
• Incorporating mass timber is a means to honor Theodore Roosevelt’s enduring legacy of conservation with a beautiful nature-forward design.