Ferdinand Ward was widely hailed as the “Young Napoleon of Finance” less than a decade after coming to New York City at the age of twenty-one to make his fortune on Wall Street.  In fact, his charm and energy hid a total lack of conscience and contempt for anything but his own interests. Ward would become the Bernie Madoff of his day and his huge pyramid scheme would ultimately collapse into one of the greatest financial scandals in American history.  Grant Cottage Site Manager Dave Hubbard will examine Ward’s life, from his beginnings in western New York State, to his financial career, criminal activities, his connections to the Grants and the family’s financial ruin and his time in prison.

The suggested donation for Grant Cottage Porch Programs is $5 per person. These programs are made possible thanks to a grant from the Adirondack Trust Community Fund. Our events are supported with funding from the New York State Park and Trail Partnership Program (NYSPTPP) and New York’s Environmental Protection Fund. The NYSPTPP is administered by Parks & Trails New York, in partnership with the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.