Ulysses S. Grant Cottage National Historic Landmark — Attraction in Town of Moreau

Grant Cottage National Historic Landmark mark’s the place where Union General and 18th President of the United States Ulysses S Grant died on July 23,1885. The historic site provides a variety of tours in and around the cottage. There is the standard guided tour, a living history tour, and outdoor tour of the area around the cottage. It is best to purchase a ticket ahead of time online. While you can probably walk in for a tour, you won’t want to miss out. At the cottage you will see the place where Ulysses S Grant came to complete the writing of his memoirs after being diagnosed with throat cancer. Although Grant was very sick and in immense pain he managed to complete the memoirs. The tour starts with a recently made historical film about the history of the cottage and Mount McGregor. The tour goes through each room of the cottage including the room where Grant died. Nearly everything in the cottage is an artifact that Grant himself used! The cottage has changed little since 1885. You will see the bed where Grant died, a place where Grant put two couches together to work on his writing, the porch where Grant often sat and even the cocaine water that Grant used to relieve pain for his throat. The cottage also displays large floral tributes displayed when Grant died. It is hard to find another historical site anywhere that offers so much in the way of original items. The tour guides were great. The cottage also had historical reenactors at the cottage that day, and they were great to talk to. They guides were experts on the historical legacy of Grant. Before you leave make sure, you walk through the patch of woods to see the nice view of the surrounding Adirondack Mountains. It is definitely one of the best in the area. On a clear day you can see Albany, the Catskills, and the Green Mountains. From the cottage you can also see the buildings that used to house a prison on Mount McGregor. They are interesting to look at. The gift shop is well stocked and has much merchandise. Prices are reasonable. If you like history, have an interest in Grant, or have never seen the cottage before make sure...

This is where Ulysses S Grant spent the last six weeks of his life, finishing his memoirs. The family was desitute, and this was his attempt to provide for them. Published by Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), they were enormously succesful and the family became wealthy.

A small Visitor's Center with knowlegable staff, an introductory video and some timeline information is your first stop.(Good bookstore too) Take the time to see and read all. A short walk (100 yards) to the Overlook is a must. A great view and some more information. (also some amazing 21st century industrial sites that are surprising).

The cottage is small - tour is only on the first floor (Grant never got to the 2nd floor). The interior is as it was in 1885. (and shame on the ones I saw walking on the 130 year old carpet despite the guide's request). 90 minutes is a good time estimate to do it all.

While this is a New York State Historical Site, it is operated by the Friends of Grant's Cottage - check their web site for events and lectures.

I used 20 Mount McGregor Road, Wilton, NY in my GPS - it was short of the site - just keep going up the hill to the Correctional Facility (closing - no prisoners on site). Check in at the gate and bear right up the hill.)

And to the reviewer who gave it 2 stars - shame on you - YOU failed to check the schedule - you never saw the...

There isn’t much to see here, but it’s still worth the visit for admirers of the Man. This “cottage” was Grant’s last home. It’s a guided tour of 4 rooms. The most poignant part of the tour is the description of the pain and suffering from his throat cancer he endured while writing the memoir. He died here three days after he finished his monumental 2-volume personal memoir that received critical acclaim, and is still considered a monumental piece of literature. (I checked out both volumes from the local library; I was shocked when I was handed the second printing - 1895)! If you haven’t done so already, watch the 3-episode docudrama by the History Channel named “GRANT”. It can be streamed free on Freevee. The main thrust of the series was his personal attributes that made him who he is - an unlikely hero that had displayed little potential in his youth and as a young man. So how did he become one of the greatest American generals and a 2-term U.S. President, Grant? Watch...