This place doesn't get the advertising it deserves. Plus, it can be confusing to find because the Anheuser-Busch place right down the road advertises itself as Grant's Farm, but really it's just a riff on the Grant name because Grant once owned some of the property. Make sure you get to the National Historic Site which is first on the right. The Historic Site offers a great, informative tour which takes one right into the house where Grant lived. There are also a couple out-buildings to see. The guide is extremely knowledgeable and can answer just about any question.
Nice laid back place to visit. We toured Grant's house and there was a nice museum as well. You can tour the house and the grounds with a guide to tell you about the house as you go along.
Hidden in south St. Louis County is Grant's Farm and the historical site across the street. They have preserved and restored the original buildings, with lots of memorabilia, and video depicting the life of this man who made his home here. Best of all, it's all free! (like lots of places in St. Louis)
If you are one to follow the trail of American presidents, this is a worthy stop.It is about 18 miles south of St. Louis in beautiful farm country. In fact, Grant's Farm is a Budweiser-beer-owned estate right next door open to tourists in the summer months. Grant's Farm was once part of the family parcel before it was sold off. Now the National Park Service maintains the rest of the property where the Grant home is located.There is a museum highlighting Grant's career. It doesn't pull any soft ball punches and delves into such controversies as his drinking and his ability to send soldiers into battle without a flinch. That makes the man come alive.The house is the main attraction. It belonged to the Dent family at the time Ulysses met daughter Julia Dent. They got married and lived in the home in the 1854-1859 period.A National Park Service guide takes small tours every 30 minutes and does a good job of explaining the history of the house before and after Grant, as well as how the plantation was used.There are outbuildings, like an ice shed. And there is a outdoor kitchen used in the summer months to keep heat out of the house. Special attention is directed to the construction of the house, primitive by today's standards, and that makes it interesting.It is a pleasant way to encounter the footsteps of a famous American.
This site preserves the home President Grant occupied before the Civil War, and at times after. It was actually the home of his wife's family, but is preserved as it was after the Civil War, including the (to modern eyes) rather odd green color Mrs. Grant had it painted. The visitor center has some good exhibits, a film about Grant and an extensive book store. Our NPS Ranger was very informative and we had an extensive talk with her about Grant and his history. For those interested in our country's presidents, or the Civil War, this is a good stop that can be thoroughly explored in a couple hours.
When you drive up to the facility you do not expect much, but get past the entrance and you are brought back in time. There is the home of Grant's in laws and the farm buildings and they are well kept, but the museum is the best part of the site. It takes you through the total life of Grant and it was very detailed and informative and you will learn much that you never knew or had forgotten. You learn things here that were never in your high school history books.
Grant's Farm includes a Ranger-led trip to the house that was very informative. The house is not exceptionally large and is largely unfurnished, so the visit does not take long. The stables have been converted to a small museum that is very informative and provides a good glimpse into Grant's post-Civil War life.
It's rather disconcerting - and rather wonderful - to come across a site like this in the middle of a city, in effect. The house and surrounding buildings are of considerable interest even without the connection with Grant, and the ranger guided tour was excellent in illuminating the way a household like this worked as a unit, as well as how it fitted into Grant's life. We were lucky to have beautiful weather, and very few fellow visitors (it was mid week) so we were able to ask the guide for a lot of supplementary information - as you would expect from a NPS guide, he really knew his stuff. It's free too. Do go if you are in STL!
Don't be confused, this is not the same as Grant's Farm. But it is well worth the visit. It is operated by the National Parks. When you go, be sure to visit Grant's Farm down the road. There is a parking fee at Grant's Farm, but the trolley tour around the farm is free. Something for the whole family at Grant's Farm, which has an excellent small farm animal petting and feeding area for small kids.
Small but nice visitor center with tons of historical books for purchase. Video to watch before the tour. Park Service guide was really good. Although it doesn't take much time to see the home, it is worth stopping in for a few minutes - it's free (donations welcomed).