Walk Through History Join a park ranger for fun, fitness, and history on a 3-mile, leisurely-paced, round-trip walk through Grantwood Village to the original site of Grant’s Hardscrabble cabin. The program is free.

graphic of people walking in front of buildings

Walk Through History: Healthy Parks, Healthy People Fitness-Based Program

Join Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site for A Spirited Holiday Past! President Grant's home, White Haven will be decorated for the holiday season. Tour the home and create a holiday craft with your family. Guitarist Pattrick Rafferty will perform 19th century holiday tunes in the parlor and Suzanne Corbett will provide 19th century baking demonstrations in the historic stone kitchen. You can sample Grant's gingerbread and roll out gingerbread cookies. All activities are free and no reservations are required.  
Ulysses S. Grant NHS is one of sixteen area historic sites participating in the annual Historic Saint Louis Holiday Program.

Man seated in front of fireplace playing guitar

A Spirited Holiday Past

Experience White Haven in the evening during the holidays.  Lights will illuminate the grounds and historic house. You will hear Christmas songs performed by the St. Louis Christmas Carolers outside the house. Inside, the decorated rooms will glow with candlelight* and as you walk through the house, you’ll hear period holiday music performed by guitarist Patrick Rafferty. In the dining room you can enjoy 19th century treats served by Suzanne Corbett, food historian, and learn about 19th century etiquette and holiday culinary customs. 
End the evening with a festive concert by the Buckhannon Brothers in the park’s theater at 7:00 pm. No reservations are required.
 All activities are free. Visitors are welcome to attend the open house, concert, or both! 
*For safety reasons, our candles will be battery operated.
 Note: Grant’s Farm will be open that evening for their walk-through holiday light. Our parking lot is open just for our visitors and is free.

picture of green house at night with pine roping and red bows on balcony

man seated playing guitar next to fireplace. Mantel decorated with greenery.

woman in 19th century dress at small table with punch bowl and cake. Two visitors behind her.

White Haven by Candlelight and Holiday Concert

Arts and Culture

Cultural Demonstrations

Live Music

Biking

Compass and GPS

Geocaching

Guided Tours

Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Living History

Junior Ranger Program

Wildlife Watching

Birdwatching

Park Film

Museum Exhibits

Shopping

Bookstore and Park Store

Architecture and Building

African American Heritage

Archeology

Enslavement

Farming and Agriculture

Plantations

Military

Presidents

Reconstruction

Social Movements

Abolition Movement

Civil Rights

Voting Rights and Suffrage

Transportation

Wars and Conflicts

Mexican War

Indian and Frontier Wars

Civil War

Westward Expansion

Women's History

Ulysses S. Grant is known as the victorious Civil War general who saved the Union and the 18th President of the United States. He first met Julia Dent, his future wife, at her family home, named White Haven. From 1854 to 1859 the Dents, Grants and an enslaved African-American workforce lived on the property.

View of house with fence. Autumn colored leaves on trees

White Haven in Autumn

view of house from side and back. The house has several additions. Stone summer kitchen on right

White Haven

To the left is the ice house and to right is chicken house.

Outbuildings

Tack Room

Winter at White Haven

View of house from front with budding tree branch in foreground that is also covered in ice.

White Haven in Early Spring

Ulysses S Grant

Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site’s hours of operation are 9AM – 5PM, with the last tour of the historic house at 4 pm.

Day	Hours
Friday	9:00AM - 5:00PM
Monday	9:00AM - 5:00PM
Sunday	9:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuesday	9:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday	9:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday	9:00AM - 5:00PM
Wednesday	9:00AM - 5:00PM

Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site

Park Photos

Activities

Operating Hours

Weather info

Events

Walk Through History: Healthy Parks, Healthy People Fitness-Based Program

Date(s)

A Spirited Holiday Past

Date(s)

White Haven by Candlelight and Holiday Concert

Date(s)

Plan

Get Involved

Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site

Info

Park Photos

Activities

Operating Hours

Weather info

Events

Walk Through History: Healthy Parks, Healthy People Fitness-Based Program

Date(s)

A Spirited Holiday Past

Date(s)

White Haven by Candlelight and Holiday Concert

Date(s)