| At one time, the Grant National Historic Site, also | | | | though, the memorial and overall site were not treated |
| known as Grant's Tomb, was one of the most popular | | | | with the same care and respect as shrines to other |
| tourist attractions in New York City. Sadly, as time has | | | | past presidents. |
| passed, it became one of the most neglected and | | | | When stewardship of the site passed to the National |
| dilapidated historic sites in America. Let's explore the | | | | Park Service in the 1950's, a forty year period of |
| compelling story of Grant's Tomb and what is being | | | | decline and neglect ensued. The National Park Service |
| done to reverse decades of neglect... | | | | and the city of New York squabbled over |
| The History Of Grant's Tomb | | | | maintenance and upkeep, and in the end very little was |
| Ulysses S. Grant was one of the most influential | | | | done to honor and preserve the site. Visitation slowed |
| figures of 19th century America. Not only was he a | | | | to a trickle as exhibits were removed, historic murals |
| tremendously popular Civil War general, but he later | | | | painted over, and deterioration increased. |
| served two terms as president and was credited with | | | | During the 1970's and 1980's, about the only visitors |
| helping bring the country together after the tumultuous | | | | were the homeless who used the tomb as a shelter, |
| presidency of Andrew Johnson. | | | | and those involved in criminal activities. By the early |
| After he left office, Grant became a respected elder | | | | 1990's, Grant's Tomb had deteriorated to a condition |
| statesman, and when he died in 1885, there was a | | | | best described as deplorable. |
| tremendous national outpouring of grief. Plans were | | | | Restoration Efforts At The Grant National Historic Site |
| immediately put into motion for a memorial befitting a | | | | Fortunately, a group of preservationists stepped in and |
| man of his national stature. | | | | pressured both the National Park Service and the city |
| Grant lived his final years in New York City and had | | | | of New York to make improvements. The interior was |
| requested to be interred there. Money was ultimately | | | | cleaned from top to bottom, graffiti erased, and safety |
| raised for a suitable memorial, a site chosen, and | | | | issues addressed. |
| construction completed on the Grant tomb and | | | | The site was rededicated in 1997, although much work |
| memorial in 1897. As hard as it may be to believe, | | | | was, and still is, left to be done. There continues to be |
| attendance at the site was greater on most days than | | | | a battle between the NPS and the city on land and |
| the Statue of Liberty. | | | | maintenance issues, so many improvement projects |
| The Site Declines | | | | have ground to a halt. While the site is in significantly |
| As to be expected, attendance waned from its peak | | | | better shape than at its nadir in the early 1990's, sadly, |
| in the 1920's as new generations were born and first | | | | the Grant National Historic Site is probably the worst |
| hand knowledge of Grant faded into history. Sadly | | | | maintained presidential historic site in America. |