THEODORE ROOSEVELT MEDORA FOUNDATION

What THEODORE ROOSEVELT MEDORA FOUNDATION does

The Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation (TRMF) is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1986 by Harold Schafer and his family to preserve and operate Medora, North Dakota as a Western heritage tourism destination. The Foundation operates a diversified portfolio of ticketed entertainment, hospitality, dining, retail, and recreational attractions centered on the Medora Musical — a country-western variety show running continuously at the 2,800-seat Burning Hills Amphitheatre since 1965 and now in its 60th season. Revenue streams include one-time ticket sales (Medora Musical concerts, trail rides, Pitchfork Steak Fondue, golf), lodging and hospitality across multiple hotels, motels, and unique accommodations booked through bookings.medora.com, on-site retail and dining, and significant philanthropic contributions (cumulative $68 million over three decades). The Foundation serves 115,000–125,000 annual visitors, approximately 60% from North Dakota, spanning families, multi-generational repeat visitors, corporate/group events, and Western heritage enthusiasts.

Business model is direct-to-consumer and event-driven: TRMF sells experiences through etix.com and seasonal Medora box offices, bundles products (e.g., $89.95 Dinner & Show Package), and uses the Medora WISH program to drive free family visitation. Distribution is exclusively domestic U.S., with all experiences concentrated in Medora adjacent to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Recent capital investments include the $25 million employee campus (Wild Horse Place 32-unit housing opened 2023, Spirit of Work Lodge, Life Skills Center, Elkhorn Quarters), the $8 million Point to Point Park family recreation hub, and the in-progress Western Heritage initiative featuring a 2,000-seat rodeo arena. Notable technology/operational components include dedicated ticketing (etix.com), lodging booking engine (bookings.medora.com), e-commerce (shopmedora.com), and a third-party reseller exclusion policy to protect consumer pricing. Leadership transitioned in April 2025 with Clarence Sitter succeeding Randy Hatzenbuhler as CEO; the Foundation donated 3.5 acres to enable the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opening July 4, 2026, which is expected to materially amplify destination visitation.

Name

THEODORE ROOSEVELT MEDORA FOUNDATION

Legal name

Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation

Website

https://medora.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates Medora, North Dakota as a Western heritage tourism destination, running the 60-year-old Medora Musical and an integrated portfolio of lodging, dining, golf, and family attractions serving 115,000–125,000 annual visitors, predominantly from North Dakota and the Upper Midwest.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tourism and Hospitality Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Recreation & Activity Services (Hiking, Boating, Climbing, Fishing—Guided/Authorized) (THAAAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Guided Tours & Interpretive Services (Ranger-Led, Naturalist, Cultural Interpretation) (THAAAGAB), National Park & Conservancy Lodges (THAGAIAI), National/State Park Campgrounds & Public Campgrounds (THAMAJAI)

Keywords

• Live entertainment shows
• Outdoor hospitality services
• Western heritage tourism
• Destination resort lodging
• Badlands recreation experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Bismarck

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: The primary revenue stream from ticket sales for the Medora Musical, concerts, shows, and attractions (Pitchfork Steak Fondue, trail rides, golf, etc.). Sold via etix.com and at box offices seasonally.
2. Lodging and Hospitality: Revenue from hotel bookings (Rough Riders Hotel, Badlands Motel, Hotel 1883, Elkhorn Quarters), campground, and unique lodging (Conestoga Wagons, Wooly Boys Inn, Hyde House, Ferris Inn). Booked through bookings.medora.com.
3. Retail and Dining: Revenue from on-site shopping (Rough Riders Gift, Buffalo Gap Gift Shop, Jingle & Spurs, online store shopmedora.com) and dining (Theodore's Dining Room, TR's Tavern, Badlands Pizza, Sheriff Bear's, Sagebrush Grill).
4. Philanthropy and Donations: Significant philanthropic gifts and donations to TRMF, including endowed funds (Veterans Endowment, Medora Musical Endowment) and capital campaign contributions. The Foundation received $68 million in philanthropic gifts over three decades under Hatzenbuhler's tenure.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation operates a tourism and entertainment destination in Medora, North Dakota, anchored by the Medora Musical (a country-western variety show running since 1965 at the Burning Hills Amphitheatre). The foundation sells ticketed shows, concerts, lodging (Rough Riders Hotel, Hotel 1883, Badlands Motel, Medora Campground), dining (Pitchfork Steak Fondue, Theodore's Dining Room), recreation (Bully Pulpit Golf Course, Medora Trail Rides, Point to Point Park), and Western heritage experiences to families and tourists visiting the North Dakota Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Product overview

The Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation operates a diversified tourism and entertainment portfolio in Medora, North Dakota centered around the Medora Musical (running since 1965) and Theodore Roosevelt heritage. The core entertainment products include the Medora Musical (flagship country-western variety show at Burning Hills Amphitheatre), multiple live shows (Teddy Roosevelt Show, T.R. - The Strenuous Life, Medora Gospel Brunch, Rebels & Outlaws, Great American Folk Show), and ticketed concerts featuring national artists. Dining attractions include the Pitchfork Steak Fondue and Theodore's Dining Room. Recreational offerings span Bully Pulpit Golf Course (USA Today #1 Public Golf Course), Medora Trail Rides, Point to Point Park (family activities with zipline, mini golf, pool, lazy river), and Maah Daah Hey Trail. Lodging options range from historic hotels (Rough Riders Hotel, Hotel 1883, Badlands Motel) to camping and unique accommodations. The Foundation also operates retail shops, children's facilities, and manages community programs including Medora WISH (free kids tickets) and Black Tie & Spurs fundraising gala. Major developments include Western Heritage initiative and partnerships with the incoming Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Medora Musical: Country-western variety show performed at Burning Hills Amphitheatre since 1965
• Bully Pulpit Golf Course
• Pitchfork Steak Fondue
• Rough Riders Hotel
• Medora Gospel Brunch
• The Teddy Roosevelt Show
• T.R. - The Strenuous Life
• Medora WISH
• Wild Horse Place
• Point to Point Park
• Medora Children’s Park
• Burning Hills Amphitheatre
• Medora Trail Rides
• Andrist Stage
• Town Square Patio

Products and services

• Medora Musical The flagship country-western variety show performed at the 2,800-seat Burning Hills Amphitheatre. Features patriotic themes, horses on stage, country music, comedy, and fireworks. Average ticket price approximately $70.
• Teddy Roosevelt Show Living history show featuring Joe Wiegand as Theodore Roosevelt reprisor, telling stories of Roosevelt's time ranching in the Badlands. Available bundled with brunch or dinner.
• T.R. - The Strenuous Life Historical performance starring Kurt Skinner bringing Theodore Roosevelt to life, taking audiences back to the early American century.
• Medora Gospel Brunch Gospel music revue featuring endless brunch favorites and inspiring musical performance; family-friendly toe-tapping gospel show.
• Rebels & Outlaws: Country Music's Best Tribute show honoring country music icons including Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Waylon, Willie, and Merle Haggard.
• Pitchfork Steak Fondue Signature dining experience where chefs cook 12oz steaks on pitchforks in oil, served with fixings at Tjaden Terrace with views of the Badlands and live entertainment. Bundled with the Medora Musical as the Dinner & Show Bundle ($89.95 + tax).
• Bully Pulpit Golf Course Public golf course carved out of the North Dakota Badlands, ranked among America's Top 100 Public Golf Courses and named #1 Public Golf Course by USA Today 10Best Readers Choice in 2025. Open April-October.
• Medora Trail Rides Western horseback riding experiences through the Badlands, allowing visitors to experience the landscape as Theodore Roosevelt would have in 1883. Open May-October.
• Rough Riders Hotel Historic luxury hotel named for Theodore Roosevelt's volunteer cavalry unit. Features extensive Theodore Roosevelt library and western-themed luxury rooms with walk-in showers. Open year-round. Located at 301 3rd Ave, Medora, ND.
• Hotel 1883 New boutique hotel in Medora, representing the historic year of the town's founding.
• Badlands Motel Modern motel with western charm close to downtown Medora. Open year-round with drive-up access.
• Medora Campground

Quantifiable outcome

• 115,000-125,000 annual visitors with ~60% from North Dakota
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation (TRPLF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2022TRMF donated 3.5 acres of land to the TRPLF for shared parking, walking and hiking pathways, and a redesigned passage to both the Burning Hills Amphitheatre and the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. Both organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) creating an access easement. The library's grand opening is planned for July 4, 2026 — America's 250th anniversary.
• RWS GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRWS Global is one of the world's largest production companies and took over the production of the Medora Musical, contributing to the show's evolution and professional development. The company also recruits talent and manages performer auditions.
• Billings CountyminorOthersBillings County is a participant in the Medora Area Plan (MAP), a collaborative planning group including the City of Medora, Billings County, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, North Dakota Department of Transportation, North Dakota Parks & Recreation, and the State Historical Society.
• National Park ServiceminorOthersNational Park Service is a participant in the Medora Area Plan (MAP) for development and growth in and around Medora, working alongside TRMF and other stakeholders.
• U.S. Forest ServiceminorOthersU.S. Forest Service participated in the Medora Area Plan (MAP) and sold 90.3 acres to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation for library construction.
• Roers ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction firm that built the Wild Horse Place 32-unit apartment building on time and on budget for TRMF.
• Experience LANDminorOthersOrganizes the Maah Daah Hey 100 Mountain Bike Race, which brings hundreds of racers and thousands of spectators to Medora each August.
• Make-A-WishminorOthersMake-A-Wish Night at the Medora Musical granted wishes to six children from North Dakota on stage during a dedicated show night.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Delaware North (Parks & Resorts): Major National Park hospitality concessionaire (Yosemite, Grand Canyon, etc.) operating lodging, dining, retail, and attractions inside multiple national parks — overlaps with TRMF's gateway-town hospitality and National Park-adjacent visitor services.
• Xanterra Travel Collection: Largest U.S. National Park concessionaire operating lodging, dining, retail, and tours inside parks such as Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Mount Rushmore — comparable to TRMF as a National Park gateway operator with overlapping hospitality capabilities, though broader in scale and geography.

Direct peers

• Wall Drug: Iconic single-location roadside tourist destination in Wall, SD drawing visitors off I-90 with free attractions, dining, retail, and an in-town entertainment complex — comparable to Medora as a small-town Midwest destination built around a novel experience and broad retail/dining monetization.
• Silver Dollar City: Themed destination in Branson, MO combining a heritage theme (1880s Ozark village), live entertainment shows, lodging, restaurants, retail, and seasonal festivals — the closest functional analog to TRMF's integrated Medora Musical + lodging + dining + retail + attractions model.
• Crazy Horse Memorial: Heritage/monument tourism destination in the Black Hills of South Dakota featuring a world-class sculpture, museum, visitor center, and cultural programming — directly comparable to TRMF's Theodore Roosevelt heritage positioning and rural destination model in the same Upper Great Plains region.
• Mount Rushmore National Memorial: Iconic U.S. monument destination in the Black Hills with adjacent gateway-town tourism ( Keystone, SD) — comparable to Medora as a national-park-adjacent destination whose visitor traffic flows through a small nearby town where most lodging and dining revenue is captured.
• Dollywood Parks & Resorts: Herschend Family Entertainment-owned themed destination in Pigeon Forge, TN combining live entertainment productions, heritage craft programming, lodging (DreamMore Resort), dining, and attractions — a high-quality benchmark for monetizing a single regional destination across multiple verticals.

Emerging players

• Sturgis Buffalo Chip / Sturgis Rally tourism operators: Large-scale Western/entertainment destination events in Sturgis, SD combining live music concerts, camping, attractions, and vendor experiences — comparable as a regional Western-heritage destination monetizing ticketed entertainment plus on-site lodging and camping like Medora.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/MedoraND
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC3edqQAlLflz5gAZVY-hq5w
• Facebookfacebook.com/MedoraND
• Instagraminstagram.com/medora_nd
• Pinterestpinterest.com/medora_nd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/trmf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

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