Events Calendar

The Cottage is a fine destination for viewing historic events near Saratoga Springs and Capital Region. The Cottage hosts numerous public events throughout the season such as family days, our Porch Chat Series of history lectures and portrayals, as well as acknowledgements of Grant's death and funeral.

Most events are free with tours of the Cottage at their regular fee. Please check below for this year's calendar listing and descriptions.

EVENT DETAILS
All events are free. Cottage tours are at their regular fee.

May 27, 1pm—Opening of Grant Cottage. Program: Hollis Palmer presents “Grant’s Ambassador to Egypt.” President Grant not only visited Saratoga, but he was known to and by Saratogians. One of the best examples is his relationship with George Sherman Batcheller who hosted parties for the president at his homes in Saratoga, New York and Alexandria, Egypt. This presentation, by Dr. Hollis Palmer, will focus upon Mr. Batcheller's connection with Grant. Palmer is the author of the book, The Batcheller Mansion, portrays George Sherman Batcheller at presentations at the Mansion, and is the resident expert on the Batcheller family and its history. Tom Smith will perform tunes on the banjo followed by cake served on the porch.

June 17, noon—Picnic Performance. Music by 77th Regimental Balladeers.

June 20, noon—Porch Chat Series: “The Irish Brigade: Ulysses S. Grant and the Fenians.”
The Irish Brigade was one of the most acclaimed units to fight for the Union. Many of its soldiers were Irish revolutionaries who, after the Civil War, as members of the Fenian Brotherhood, launched several invasions of Canada. Canada was then a British colony. The Fenians' aim was to seize Canadian territory and hold it until England gave Ireland her freedom. As commander of the American Army, and later as President, Grant had to oppose his old comrades-in-arms. Find out about this lost chapter of American history and how it affected Grant's career. Presented by Grant Cottage tour guide Steve Trimm.

June 27, noon—Porch Chat Series: “What The Doorman Saw.” Thomas Pendel, the White House Doorman, recalls his encounters with the Lincoln, Johnson, and Grant families.

July 8, 1pm—Historical Figure Program. Portrayal of Oliver Clarke, first Grant Cottage caretaker, Union veteran and survivor of the infamous Andersonville Prison Camp. Sgt. Clarke will be portrayed by Steve Trimm. Following the presentation, cake will be served on the Cottage porch.

July 21, noon—Remembrance Day. An annual event acknowledging the July 23, 1885 death of Ulysses S. Grant at the Cottage. Civil War author Charles Bracelen Flood will provide a talk and signing of his book, Grant's Final Victory: Ulysses S. Grant's Heroic Last Year.

July 25, noon—Porch Chat Series: “Ulysses and Ike: Ulysses S. Grant & Dwight David Eisenhower: Leadership In War And Peace - the Parallels.” A talk drawn from the biographies of Grant and Eisenhower written by New York Times bestselling author Michael Korda. Presented by historian and Grant Cottage tour guide Steve Trimm.

August 5, noon—Picnic Performance: Michelle Haugg. The music of Scott Joplin and Grant at Saratoga by Lance Ingmire.

August 8—Flags at Half Mast. Boy scouts will lead a flag-raising ceremony accompanied by people in period clothing, bagpiper Jerry Cashion, and music by W.H. Payne with comments by Steve Trimm.

August 19, 3pm—Tea at Three. Tea party on the porch with local vintage fashion collector Sue McKlane presenting her Victorian clothing.

August 29, noon—Porch Chat Series: “Shrady & Shrady.” Steve Trimm will focus on Dr. George Shrady, one of Grant's team of physicians, and his son Henry, a self-taught sculptor who created the most beautiful and powerful statue of Grant in the nation. It stands at the head of the National Mall in Washington D.C.

September 2, 1pm—“April 14, 1865. General Grant's Last Meeting With President Lincoln.” A portrayal of General Grant by Steve Trimm. Cake will be served on the porch following the presentation.

September 16, 1pm—“The Emancipation Proclamation.” A portrayal of President Grant by Steve Trimm. September 2012 is the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's announcing his plan to free the slaves. The General will reflect on the evolution of his own thinking with respect to slavery and emancipation. The General believes that his thinking on these critical matters virtually mirrored President Lincoln's. Cake will be served on the porch following the presentation.

October 7—Family Day. Annual closing weekend event with Civil War Songs, Joan Taub and Nancy Armstrong.