Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site: Whitehaven Tour

See a Civil War general and president’s estate at the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site across the road from the Grant’s Farm entrance.

A visit to this national historic site includes a visitor’s center, home, museum, and more.

Early map showing Grant's land. — *Early map showing Grant’s land.*

Short History of Ulysses S. Grant in Missouri

Known as the victorious Civil War general who saved the Union.

He first came to Missouri in 1843. Assigned to the 4th Infantry at Jefferson Barracks, south of St. Louis. Invited by his former roommate, Frederick Dent, to visit his family’s farm, White Haven, Grant soon became enamored with Dent’s sister, Julia.

After serving with distinction in the Mexican-American War, Grant returned to White Haven to marry Julia.

From 1854 to 1859 the Dents, Grants, and an enslaved African-American workforce lived on the property.

When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Grant’s sense of duty called him back into military service where he proved to be a brilliant battlefield strategist.

In March 1864, President Abraham Lincoln appointed him Commanding General of the U.S. Army and, in just over a year, Union forces secured the surrender of the Confederate army.

Throughout their lives together, White Haven proved to be a focal point for Ulysses and Julia. Although financial and political circumstances took them away for over a decade, they still considered it their family home. Grant looked forward to a relaxing retirement at White Haven following his second term as president. Family interests and failed business deals led him to relinquish the property shortly before his death in 1885. ( From nationalparks.com)

https://www.nps.gov/ulsg/index.htm — *Entering the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site.*

Start of Our Visit

We first stopped at the Visitor’s Center which has a gift shop and a park ranger available for questions. From the center, you also leave for a tour of Whitehaven. You can only see the inside of the home on a park ranger-led tour. Check with Visitor’s Center staff for tours.

Orientation Film

The center is also where you can see an orientation film on Grant.

“Ulysses S. Grant: A Legacy of Freedom” traces Grant’s life from his boyhood in Ohio through his last battle against cancer and a race against time to finish writing his personal memoirs.

The orientation film is 22 minutes long. Shown in the visitor center theater every half hour at the top and bottom of each hour. The first showing starts at 9 a.m. and the last begins at 4:30 p.m.

Historic Site Museum

Located inside the park’s 1872 horse stable designed by Grant himself.

It is a self-guided museum with six permanent exhibits. “An Intricate Tapestry: Ulysses and Julia Grant” examines the life and times of a loving couple that maintained a committed marriage for thirty-seven years.

Half of the museum focuses on Ulysses S. Grant’s private life, including his relationship with his wife, children, extended family, and close friends.

The other half focuses on his public service to the United States, including his service in the Mexican-American War and American Civil War, and two terms as President of the United States.

Numerous interactive components also examine the Grants’ world tour (1877-1879) and address personal challenges Grant faced during his lifetime. (Information from the NPS.Gov.)

Whitehaven

Inside the house, you can see how the Grants lived. The second story is not open to visitors due to fire regulations.

Grant's Military uniform and his wife's dress. — *Grant’s Military uniform and his wife’s dress.*

You can see a military uniform and a dress that Mrs. Grant wore along with kitchenware, fireplaces, bedroom sets, parlor furniture, and dining room items.

Also, view a short video that plays on a recreated conversation between Grant and his father-in-law. Grant’s views were more along the Union side whereas his father-in-law was more on the Confederate side.

The historic Winter Kitchen in the basement of the house is only accessible by stairs.

ON THE GROUNDS

Summer Kitchen

This stone building, located behind White Haven, consists of two rooms. Before the Civil War, the enslaved used this building for laundry and summer cooking.

Ice House

Before refrigeration ice houses were used to keep food cold and built in 1840.

Chicken House

Built in 1850 and housed chickens. Grant had many domesticated animals on the farm.

Walk the Park

You can also visit the ground without going to the museums and Visitor’s Center. One can walk the grounds and go to the houses and buildings on a quarter-mile paved walkway when the National Park is open.

DETAILS

Drive: Take exit 280 off of Interstate 44 and go south on Elm Avenue, which becomes S. Rock Hill Road. Make a right off Rock Hill Road onto Pardee Road and follow it around when it becomes Grant Road. Then make a left at the sign for the national historic site into the parking lot.

Admission: Free

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Daily, closed some major holidays—check the website for more information

Address: 7400 Grant Rd, St. Louis, MO 63123