Grant Cottage State Historic Site facts for kids
|
Ulysses S. Grant Cottage Historic Site
|
|
Grant Cottage in 2009
|
|
 Location in New York
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 1000 Mt. McGregor Rd, Wilton/Gansevoort, NY Moreau, New York |
|---|---|
| Area | 43 acres (17 ha) |
| Built | 1872 |
| Built by | McGregor, Duncan |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000557 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | February 18, 1971 |
| Designated NHL | January 13, 2021 |
Grant Cottage State Historic Site is a special house located on Mount McGregor in Moreau, New York. This is where Ulysses S. Grant, who was the 18th President of the United States, spent his final weeks. He passed away here on July 23, 1885, after a serious illness.
After President Grant's death, the cottage was kept as a special place to remember him. It was cared for by the Mount McGregor Memorial Association and people who lived there. In 1957, it became a New York State Historic Site. Later, in 1971, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which lists important historical sites. In 2021, it was recognized as a National Historic Landmark, meaning it's a place of great national importance.
Contents
A President's Last Days
The cottage was owned by Joseph William Drexel, a banker from New York and a friend of President Grant. Grant spent the last six weeks of his life at this peaceful mountain retreat.
Writing His Story
During his time at the cottage, Grant was busy writing his life story, known as his memoirs. The famous author Mark Twain helped him by giving him money in advance for the book. Grant finished writing just three days before he died.
The sales of his memoirs were a huge success. They earned his family a lot of money, which helped his wife, Julia, avoid financial hardship.
A Place of Remembrance
For many years after Grant's death, thousands of Civil War veterans made special visits to the cottage. It was a way for them to honor their former general and president. Today, many people still visit Mount McGregor each year to see the original items preserved at this historic site.
Exploring Grant Cottage Today
Visitors can take a tour of the cottage, which is now a historic house museum. It looks almost exactly as it did on the day President Grant passed away.
Inside the Cottage
Inside, you can see some of the original flowers from his funeral. The bed where he died is also on display in the parlor. In the same room, there's a clock that was stopped at 8:08 AM by Grant's oldest son, Frederick Dent Grant, right after his father's passing.
Outside the Cottage
Outside the cottage, there's a marker showing the spot where Grant had his last view of the valley. This spot had to be fenced off because visitors used to chip off pieces as souvenirs! You'll also find a visitor center and a gift shop. A plaque nearby reminds everyone that this is where President Grant died. Another New York historic marker is just a few steps away.
History of the Area
The cottage was once part of a large Victorian hotel and resort, but that building was destroyed by fire in 1897. Over the years, other buildings were constructed nearby. The area around the cottage was used for different purposes, including a place for veterans to rest and, more recently, a state prison.
Since 2014, when the prison closed, the Historic Site has grown to 43 acres. It is open to the public during certain seasons, thanks to the efforts of The Friends of the Ulysses S. Grant Cottage.
