Ben Kemp from Grant Cottage State Historic Site is set to speak on the final days the Civil War General and U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant on Tuesday, November 5th, at the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site. This will begin the fifth annual Tuesday Talk series to recognize New York State History Month.
Kemp will share the story of why and how Grant spent his final days in the foothills of the Adirondacks in his presentation, The Story of Grant Cottage: The Final Home of an American Hero.
Grant’s last year is a tale of family devotion and a character study of a man known for his triumph over adversity. Attendees can learn how the amazingly preserved Cottage atop Mt. McGregor in Saratoga County, with sweeping views of the Hudson Valley and Green Mountains, became a historic site that has welcomed visitors for the last 135 years.
Kemp was born and raised in the Saratoga region of New York State and has been a staff member with the Friends of U.S. Grant Cottage (now seeking volunteers) since 2014. He is a Civil War reenactor, educator, speaker, and researcher. He is a current Board Member with the Hadley-Lake Luzerne Historical Society. His other pursuits include nature photography and outdoor sports including membership in the Adirondack 46’ers and Catskill 3500 hiking clubs.
The Tuesday Talks series at Schoharie Crossing continues each week with a speaker discussing regional or New York State history. All presentations are free and open to the public.
Tuesday Talks begin at 6:30 pm in the Enders House adjacent to the Schoharie Crossing Visitor Center, 129 Schoharie Street, Fort Hunter. Refreshments are provided and donations are appreciated.
For information about this program, call the Visitor Center at (518) 829-7516, or email SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov.
Photo of President U.S. Grant writing his memoirs during his final days provided by Grant Cottage State Historic Site.
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