The General Grant National Memorial
122nd Street and Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10027
(212) 666-1640
https://www.nps.gov/gegr/index.htm
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday: 9:00am-5:00pm/Closed Monday-Tuesday/Check for tour times on site.
Admission: Free but donations accepted
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A Grateful Nation:
The Grant Memorial was designed by architect John Duncan. Rising to an imposing 150 feet from the bluff overlooking the Hudson River, it took 12 years to build and remains the largest mausoleum in North America. Its great size was meant to express the profound admiration Americans felt for the Civil War commander and was propelled to the forefront of America’s pantheon of heroes and declared the equal of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
Spearheaded by the Grant Monument Association, some 90,000 people from around the United States and the world donated over $600,000 to construct the memorial, the largest public fundraising effort up to that time.
The statuary in front of the building
Initial fundraising was led by Richard T. Greener, first black graduate of Harvard and a Grant supporter who credited the general with his advancement. Many African Americans contributed to the building fund.
The eagles that flank the front of the tomb
The memorial is open from 9:00am-5:00pm daily. For information or to arrange for group visits call (212) 666-1640.
The entrance to the Mausoleum
Among the most Revered of Men:
This large classically proportioned mausoleum honors the Civil War general who saved the nation from dissolution and the president who worked to usher in a new era of peace and equality for all Americans.
The Civil War era flag being displayed inside
Sign for the flag display in the Western trophy case
The flags in the Western trophy case
The sign for the flags in the Eastern Case
The flags in the Eastern case display
Ulysses S. Grant, a plain-spoken unassuming man who studiously avoided pomp and ceremony had volunteered his services for the Union effort when the Civil War erupted in 1861.
The details inside the rotunda
In doing what he considered simply his duty, he emerged after four years of fighting as one of the great military leaders in history. Aggressiveness, speed, tenacity and the ability to adjust his plans in the face of unexpected impediments all helped to bring him victory.
General Ulysses S. Grant
As great as he was in war, Grant showed magnanimity and compassion in peace. He granted humane and generous terms when General Robert E. Lee surrendered to him on April 9, 1865 at Appomattox Court House. As president he pardoned many former Confederate leaders at the same time insisting on protecting the full political equality of former slaves.
The friezes of General Grant with General Lee
The General leading his troops
The General leading his troops
He was also concerned that American Indian tribes be treated with dignity and respect. His fundamental desire for peace was reflected in his efforts to solve international disputes by arbitration rather than by threat of war. At the time of his death in 1885. Grant was universally respected by northerners and southerners alike.
The main floor of the tomb
The main floor of the tomb
Because of Grant’s status as a national hero, most Americans assumed he would be buried in Washington DC but his family preferred New York City. Grant himself had no strong preference; his only desire was for his wife, Julia to be buried next to him.
The funeral on August 8, 1885 was one of the most spectacular events New York had ever seen. Buildings all over the city were draped in black. An estimated one million people crowded sidewalks, filled windows, stood on rooftops and climbed trees and telephone poles for a view of the procession, which stretched seven miles and took five hours to pass.
The resting place for General Grant and his wife
Grant’s remains were placed in a temporary vault until an appropriate memorial could be funded and built. On April 27, 1897, the 75th anniversary of Grant’s birth, thousands of people, including diplomats from 26 countries, attended the dedication ceremony for the completed memorial.
The President’s tomb is surrounded by the busts of his contemporaries:
The bust of General Sheridan
The bust of General McPherson
The bust of General Sherman
The bust of General Ord
The bust of General Thomas
The dedication parade, led by President William McKinley, was almost as large as Grant’s funeral parade. Julia Grant reviewed the ceremony sitting next to President McKinley. She was laid by her husband’s side after her death in 1902.
The Tomb of General Grant and his wife
The tomb is located in Riverside Park near Columbia University and across the street from Sakura Park, where Japanese Cherry trees are in bloom every Spring.
The park outside the Memorial
The Memorial with a park view
The Memorial from the park
The Memorial from Claremont Park
Claremont Park behind the tomb is beautiful in the Spring
The artwork surrounding the tomb
The artwork surrounding the tomb
The artwork surrounding the tomb
Near the tomb is the memorial to the ‘Amicable Child’ and that should not be missed as well.
The Tomb of the Amiable Child right down the path
The little park the tomb sits in
Disclaimer: This information was taken directly from the National Park Service pamphlet. This is a very interesting National Memorial and should not be missed.
The gift shop is across the street
The theater is in the next room where you can watch the film
It is opened at certain times of the week, so please look for the posted hours. (The memorial is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm daily. For more information or to arrange for groups visits, please call (212) 666-1640).
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