About the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation

“My obligation today is to see that Medora’s
greatness can be carried on after my lifetime,
that its future can be even better than the past.”
-- HAROLD SCHAFER, Founder, 1988

The Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation (TRMF) is a public non-profit organization that was formed in 1986 by a multi-million dollar gift from Harold Schafer and his family – most famously known as the founders of the Gold Seal Company, the maker of Mr. Bubble, Glass Wax and other nationally-known household products.

For Harold, the beauty and history of Medora and the Badlands was just too much to let disappear with the sands of time – so he made it his life’s work to save it for generations to come.

He began his labor of love in 1962, while running his nationally recognized Gold Seal Company, when he revitalized the Rough Riders Hotel -- which at that time was almost completely delapitated, and whose previous owners had won the property in a card game! At that moment, Harold had just created the Medora Division of the Gold Seal Company.

His enthusiasm continued over the course of the next few years until he acquired an old, run down theater on the side of a bluff that was built for a 1958 showing of a Theodore Roosevelt play called Old Four Eyes. At this point, he summed it up like this: "Well, since I own a theater now, I might as well put on a show!"

Over the winter Harold contacted a producer in Minneapolis about creating a family-friendly show that, #1 had something for the kids in it, #2 paid tribute to Theodore Roosevelt, and #3 had a BIG patriotic ending in it. On July 1, 1965, Teddy Roosevelt Rides Again: a Medora Musical debuted in a theater with a walking path entry, dirt-path isles, and wooden-plank benches.

Today, over 50 years later, it's known around the world as simply the Medora Musical and, while the show and venue has evolved over time, it still includes the three original themes Harold wanted in that very first show. 

This was the beginning of TRMF, before it was TRMF actually, but still shapes who we are as an organization and why we do what we do each day, still in the 21st century. 

Harold continued giving to the historic cow town frequented by Theodore Roosevelt, the Marquis de Mores, and many-a rough-and-tumble westerner until the sale of his Gold Seal Company, then his legendary work ethic and excitement kept him right on going when TRMF was created in 1986. He kept giving to Medora and the people who visited until his death in 2001.

Harold's wife, Sheila, who was there, cleaning bathrooms and anything else that needed doing back in 1965, was an integral part of making Medora and TRMF what it is today. She was the heart of the town, the unofficial "First Lady of Medora," until she joined her beloved Harold in 2016.

But WHY are we doing ANY of this? Because we believe, like Harold and Theodore Roosevelt before us, that this place is worth preserving for our children, and children's children. 
 

We strive to Connect People to Medora for Positive, Life-Changing Experiences.

Our Mission

PRESERVE the experience of the badlands, the historic character of Medora and the values and heritage of Theodore Roosevelt and Harold Schafer;

PRESENT opportunities for our guests to be educated and inspired through interpretive programs, museums and attractions that focus on the Old West, our patriotic heritage, and the life of Theodore Roosevelt in the badlands;

SERVE the traveling public, providing for their comfort while visiting historic Medora, the Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Our Values

We show Respect for people and place.
We deliver Excellence in Hospitality.
We work with Creativity and Integrity.
We are a Family Who Values Family.

We do our best to live our vision, mission, and values each day and to teach them to those young people who spend a #BestSummerOfTheirLife with us. You'll find them throughout orientation materials, in meetings and trainings, and shown throughout the Life Skills Center where so many of our people spend important parts of their day.

We're lucky to have help in our mission, too.

Through the contributions and teamwork of our Board of Directors, a full time staff of 45 team members, 350+ seasonal, student, and international employees, over 600 summer volunteers, and financial backing from generous supporters, all of us work toward the common goal of helping more people become inspired by the Badlands the way Theodore Roosevelt was, Harold after him, and millions more since. 

Our Board of Directors

Harold Schafer, Founder (1912-2001)

Ed Schafer, Chair
Greg Tschetter, Vice Chair
Gretchen Stenehjem, Secretary
Mike Zaun, Treasurer

Staff Officer
Randy Hatzenbuhler, TRMF President

Development Team 
Joslyn Tooz, Development Officer
Bill Sorensen, Development Officer

Read on to see some recent development success...