Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site

St. Louis was an active stop on the Underground Railroad with its close proximity to the free state of Illinois. One of St. Louis's most prominent conductors on the Underground Railroad was Mary Meachum. The widow of a free, black minister John Berry Meachum spent years with her husband teaching both free and enslaved blacks […]

Julia Dent Grant was extremely active during the Civil War, spending most of the war traveling the country, including visits to her father at White Haven, the Grants’ home in Galena, and even time at the front with Ulysses. Park Guide Jared Clark follows Julia through the war years and her efforts to keep White […]

White Haven was a working farm from the time that Col. Frederick F. Dent purchased the property in 1820 until after Grant’s ownership ending in 1885, and into the early 20th century. Ranger Blake discusses Grant’s farming experience at Hardscrabble as well as the farming process for the Dent family and enslaved laborers at White […]

Join Dan Kroese, traveler who has visited all NPS sites, as he retraces different periods and events in Grant’s life through the National Park Service sites that tell much of his life story. Over thirty NPS sites across the country, from the Atlantic Seaboard to the Pacific, are directly connected with Ulysses Grant. The program […]

It is commonly believed that the Civil War ended at Appomattox, Virginia on April 9, 1865 when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. However, was that really the case? As the Confederacy was falling apart an estimated 175,000 troops remained in the field and were not included in the […]

The First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry were the first black troops to see combat in the American Civil War and this distinction was given to them at a battle that took place in Missouri! The risks they took in fighting for freedom included re-enslavement and death, yet they joined anyways and helped to encourage hundreds […]

A living history event celebrating life during the Civil War. Activities throughout both days include soldier encampments, historic weapons demonstrations, 19th century musical performances, an old-time medicine show by Professor Farquar & Miss Polecat Annie, and information on researching your Civil War ancestors. This event is free and brought to you by your National Park […]

What are the differences between a daguerreotype, an ambrotype, and a tintype? Park Historian and Curator Nick Sacco will explore a variety of historic photos from both the park’s collection and his own. He will explain the technology of photography and how it evolved during the19th century and how photographic technology combined with the subject […]

Black St. Louis explores the rich and inspiring history of African Americans in St. Louis from the city’s founding as a French fur trading post during the Spanish colonial era to the new millennium. Author NiNi Harris highlights great figures who showed leadership, incredible innovation, and courage despite the injustices they faced. The program is […]

Presidents and their First Ladies often have new sets of china produced for their official entertaining, such as State Dinners. These events are an important part of diplomacy and the table setting conveys not only an atmosphere of elegance and hospitality, but also national pride. Julie Northrip, former interpretive program manager at the park, will […]