The General Grant National Memorial is the largest mausoleum in North America. The memorial is located in Manhattan, in the Morningside Heights neighborhood, on the banks of the Hudson River at the intersection of 122nd Street and Riverside Drive.
Who Was Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses Simpson Grant (1822–1885) was a national hero of the United States, the commanding general of the Union Army during the Civil War, who led the North to victory. After the war, he was elected the 18th President of the United States and served two consecutive terms (1869–1877).
Grant went down in history as:
- a talented military strategist and popular leader,
- a supporter of equality and Reconstruction after the war,
- a president under whose leadership telegraph and railroads expanded rapidly.
His memoirs, published with the support of writer Mark Twain, are still considered one of the finest works of American autobiographical literature.
Fun fact: Grant was the first U.S. president ever arrested — for speeding in a horse-drawn carriage. Until the arrest of Donald Trump in 2023, this remained the only case of a president being detained in U.S. history.
Today, Grant’s portrait is known to many even outside the United States — he appears on the $50 bill.
History of the Mausoleum
After Grant’s death in 1885, fundraising began for a national memorial. The mausoleum was officially opened in 1897, 12 years after his passing.
Architecture and Interior
The architectural design follows a classical style, partly inspired by the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Inside, the tombs of Ulysses Grant and his wife Julia symbolize their eternal bond.
The mausoleum’s dome rises to more than 46 meters (150 feet). The interior features mosaics and reliefs depicting key events in Grant’s life and the Civil War. From the outside, visitors are greeted by the solemn monumentality of the structure and a serene view of the Hudson River.
Visitor Information
Address: Riverside Dr & W 122nd St, Manhattan, NY
Admission: Free
Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Website: www.nps.gov
