Information
Landmark: Grant's Tomb (General Grant National Memorial)City: New York
Country: USA New York
Continent: North America
Grant's Tomb (General Grant National Memorial), New York, USA New York, North America
Overview
Grant’s Tomb, officially the General Grant National Memorial, rises like a stone fortress in Manhattan’s Morningside Heights, right where Riverside Drive meets West 122nd Street.This is where Ulysses S. lies, beneath a quiet patch of grass.Grant, the 18th U. S. President and the general who steered the Union Army to victory in the Civil War, stood beside his wife, Julia Dent Grant, her gloved hand resting lightly in his.Towering over the grounds, this memorial stands as North America’s largest mausoleum and a landmark devoted to safeguarding the legacy of one of the nation’s most influential military and political leaders.Ulysses S. Grant’s story begins with a past steeped in war, politics, and the dust of 19th‑century America.Grant died on July 23, 1885, on a warm summer morning.After he died, his widow, Julia Grant, decided he should be buried in New York City, where the streets buzzed with carriage wheels and voices.They picked the spot for its striking, scenic perch high above the Hudson, where the water glints in the sun and you can see it from both New York and New Jersey.They built a temporary tomb at first, but before long, plans for a grand stone memorial began to take shape.Work on the permanent memorial started in 1891, and six years later-by 1897-it stood finished, its stone edges still sharp from the mason’s tools.They held the dedication ceremony on April 27, 1897-Grant’s seventy-fifth birthday-under a crisp spring sky.Over a million people crowded in for the dedication-President William McKinley, two former presidents, rows of uniformed officers, and dignitaries from across the nation-all a testament to the deep respect and admiration Grant inspired.In 1902, Julia Grant was laid to rest beside her husband, the grass still damp from a morning rain.Architect John H. designed the memorial, its clean lines catching the morning light.Duncan drew his design from grand classical monuments, echoing the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus-one of the Seven Wonders-and Napoleon’s tomb at Les Invalides, with its cold marble and sweeping arches.The memorial rises nearly 150 feet, a towering mausoleum of granite and cool, pale marble.With its towering dome catching the afternoon light and elegant classical lines, it stands out as a remarkable landmark.The exterior is built from sturdy Stony Creek granite, while inside you’ll find smooth white Carrara marble alongside warm-toned Lee marble from Massachusetts, giving the space a quiet, dignified feel.The building’s design features 20 towering Ionic columns that hold up a sweeping dome, calling to mind the stone grandeur of ancient Roman and Greek temples.The floor plan spreads out in a cross shape, its arms meeting at a round crypt tucked neatly in the center.At the memorial’s center sits a circular crypt, its cool stone walls guarding the sarcophagi of Ulysses S. Grant and Julia, their last name etched in neat black ink.Each sarcophagus, carved from deep red Montello granite, tips the scale at about 8.5 tons-its heaviness echoing the enduring weight of Grant’s legacy.Marble busts of five Union generals ring the crypt-Sherman with his stern gaze, Thomas, Ord, Sheridan, and McPherson-each once serving under Grant during the Civil War.These busts pay tribute to the military leaders who helped secure the Union’s victory, their stern faces carved in cold bronze.In 1966, artist Allyn Cox filled the memorial’s walls with vivid mosaic murals, capturing key moments from Grant’s military journey-the smoky siege of Vicksburg, the fierce Battle of Missionary Ridge, and the solemn surrender at Appomattox Court House-each scene telling the story of his road to victory.Relief sculptures by J, each one an allegory carved deep into stone.Massey Rhind adorned the pendentives-those curved, triangular spaces under the dome-with scenes tracing Grant’s life: his birth, years in uniform, time as a civilian, and his death, each one telling its part of the story in rich, symbolic detail.Grant’s Tomb sits in a quiet corner of Riverside Park, a stretch of green along the Hudson River shaped by the vision of Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, where the grass rolls gently toward the water.The site features the Overlook Pavilion, where visitors can take in sweeping views of the Hudson River and see New Jersey stretching out across the water.In 2011, workers restored the pavilion and opened its doors again, inviting visitors to step inside and feel the smooth, freshly polished wood beneath their hands.Shaded walkways wind past benches and soft green lawns, creating quiet spots to pause and remember, all in harmony with the memorial’s solemn grace.The memorial welcomes visitors every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., when sunlight still warms the stone steps.You don’t have to pay to get in-the memorial’s open to everyone, free of charge.The site’s visitor center offers exhibits on Grant’s life, his years in the army, his presidency, and the story behind the memorial, with maps and photographs lining the walls.You can reach the memorial by taking the New York City subway; the nearest stop is 116th Street, where the 1, B, and C lines rumble in just a block away.Parking’s scarce around here, but hopping on the bus or train is by far the easiest way to get in.The site welcomes everyone-it’s fully wheelchair accessible, with wide paths and features designed to meet the needs of visitors with disabilities.Grant’s Tomb isn’t just a place where he’s laid to rest-it stands as a national symbol, honoring the life of a pivotal figure in America’s story, with its marble walls echoing the weight of history.Ulysses S. stood there, the brim of his hat casting a sharp shadow across his eyes.People remember Grant for leading Union forces to victory in the Civil War and for steering the country through Reconstruction, a bruising chapter in America’s push to rebuild and mend its divides.The tomb stands as a symbol of unity and healing, a solid stone reminder of Grant’s work to piece the nation back together after the war.The National Park Service runs it, and it’s both a New York City Landmark and part of the National Register of Historic Places.Grant’s Tomb stands as a towering stone memorial, built to honor Ulysses S. and his place in history.Grant stood beside his wife, Julia, her hand warm in his.With its grand scale, timeless design, and intricate carvings you can trace with your fingertips, it stands as a place of deep remembrance and quiet national pride.The largest mausoleum in North America draws crowds eager to explore American history, admire its towering stone columns, and reflect on the legacy of one of the nation’s most influential leaders.The memorial still rises, solid and unwavering, a testament to strength, unity, and the ideals Grant defended with grit.
