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Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site

St. Louis, MO

 

The Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site consists of a visitor center with a theater showing a short film centering on Grant’s relationship with his wife Julia Dent, a gift shop, barn housing exhibitions and the Dent home where the Grants lived on and off for many years.

The only way to go into the house is with a ranger-led interpretive tour.

When Ulysses S. Grant was assigned to St. Louis’ nearby Jefferson Barracks following his graduation from West Point, he visited the plantation of his former roommate, Frederick Dent. 

 

 

 

There he met and fell in love with Fredericks’ sister, Julia.  The couple married in 1848. 

 

 

 

 

While living at White Haven, Ulysses helped manage his father-in-law’s plantation and its slaves.

The issue of slavery at White Haven strained relations in the household. 

 Grant was from Ohio, a free state, where he learned from his father that slavery was morally wrong.  Julia had been raised in the state of Missouri where her father owned at least 30 slaves that were vital to the success of the plantation.

When the Civil War began, Grant’s support of the Union put him at odds with his father-in-law who refused to sign a loyalty oath.  Julia was caught in the middle because she supported her husband while also enjoying a comfortable life only made possible by enslaved labor.

The exhibit hall chronicles the Grant’s love story, home life and Grant’s legacy.

 

 

As the commanding general during the Civil War he led the fight to preserve the Union. 

As the 18^th president, he championed civil rights for African Americans.