After we decided to rearrange our weekend, we headed over to the Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site. Ulysses Grant and Julia Dent Grant lived at White Haven, her family’s plantation for several years. Most people probably associate the Grants with Galena, Illinois, but his family lived in Saint Louis before the Civil War. It’s a worthwhile stop for presidential or Civil War history buffs.
Address and Location
You’ll find the Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site at 7400 Grant Road in Saint Louis, Missouri.
Cost
Admission is free!
What to Do
The Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site has three main areas to explore: the Visitors Center, the main house, and the museum in the converted barn. Tours start on the hour and half hour and are first-come, first-served. Take a quick lap around the Visitors Center and watch the offered movie. From there, head up to the main house and join a Ranger-led tour. Keep in mind that you can only see the house on a tour. You will be able to explore the outbuildings and the kitchen cellar if you don’t do a tour.
Be sure to carve out some time to explore the museum. This was the highlight of the site to me. The National Park Service converted the old barn and stables into a nice museum. It explores the lives of Ulysses and Julia Grant in different timelines. They have lots of fascinating artifacts and tidbits from their lives. The Grants traveled the world and collected a wide variety of souvenirs. Many of these are on display. I personally tend to think of Ulysses S. Grant as a Civil War general then President, so it’s interesting to see what his life was outside of those times.
Missouri National Park Service properties: Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
