Mercer Hits Milestone On Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
One year after groundbreaking, Mercer Mass Timber (MMT) has announced the completion of 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.
Phase one construction began one 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.
The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is the largest use of mass timber in North Dakota to date. MMT is supplying approximately 1,800 m³ of CLT and glulam for the 93,000 sq. ft. structure, including custom glulam connections supporting the museum’s curved roof.
The final mass timber delivery date is scheduled for June 1, 2025, marking the official start of phase two of construction, which will include Mercer Mass Timber contributing canopies designed to support photovoltaic panels—expanding mass timber use in outdoor architectural features.
“This project is a testament to what visionary design combined with advanced mass timber engineering can create,” says Ricardo Brites, Director of Engineering & VDC at Mercer Mass Timber. “From custom made glulam connections to a curved roof profile that’s as complex as it is beautiful, this project sets a new bar for civic architecture.”
Incorporating mass timber is a means to honor Theodore Roosevelt’s enduring legacy of conservation with a beautiful nature-forward design. Mass Timber also offers innovative construction advantages, including 25–40% lower carbon emissions, faster installation, and strong fire and earthquake resistance for enhanced safety.
The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is set to open on July 4, 2026, and every living president is anticipated to be in attendance.
Latest News
North American Timber Harvests Up For Fourth Consecutive Year
Timber harvests in North America were up for the fourth consecutive year in 2013, reaching 510 million m3, based on analysis by WRI (Wood Resource International). Despite an annual increase of three percent each of…
U.S. Lumber Prices Soften In Seasonal Slowdown
U.S. lumber prices softened in mid-September on a seasonal lull in construction industry orders during another year in which hopes for strong gains in housing starts were disappointed, industry experts said. The framing lumber composite…
Washington’s Simpson Lumber Company Explores Possible Sale
Privately owned Simpson Lumber Co. with mills in Tacoma, Longview and Shelton and the Southeast, is on the sale block. The Tacoma-based company has hired a financial adviser to explore the possibility of selling the…
New Arizona Sawmill Brings Jobs, Helps Thin Forests
A new Arizona sawmill opened Monday west of Flagstaff after two years of planning. Newpac Fibre, LLC opened its sawmill in Williams at the location of a former sawmill site that closed in 1995. The…
Find Us On Social
Newsletter
The monthly Timber Processing Industry Newsletter reaches over 4,000 mill owners and supervisors.
Subscribe/Renew
Timber Processing is delivered 10 times per year to subscribers who represent sawmill ownership, management and supervisory personnel and corporate executives. Subscriptions are FREE to qualified individuals.
Advertise
Complete the online form so we can direct you to the appropriate Sales Representative.