Watch history come alive when scholar Clay Jenkinson appears in costume and character as President Theodore Roosevelt. President Roosevelt served seven years, 171 days as the 26th president of the United States. He was an accidental president, “kicked upstairs” into the vice presidency in 1900, ascending to the presidency on Sept. 14, 1901, after President William McKinley died of gunshot wounds. Jenkinson is a co-founder of the modern Chautauqua (pronounced “sha-talk-wa”) method, where performances are divided into three phases. First, Jenkinson will appear in costume and in the persona of 26th president, speaking on a historical topic; next he opens the floor to any questions the audience may wish to ask, answering them as Roosevelt.