Ulysses S. Grant Bicentennial Events

Historic New Richmond, Inc., which manages the Grant Birthplace for the Ohio History Connection, and Georgetown’s U.S. Grant Homestead Association, an organization that manages the boyhood home and schoolhouse for the Ohio History Connection have planned a series of events recognizing Grant as a great Civil War general, two-term civil rights President, author of the greatest military memoir, statesman and the most popular American of the second half of the 19th century.

 

President U.S Grant- Birthday Party 

SAT., APRIL 23 • 11 A.M.-5 P.M

New Richmond, Ohio

The New Richmond Business Association, Renaissance New Richmond, the Military Museum, New Richmond VFW, Historic New Richmond and local businesses welcome you to a village-wide birthday party, with five riverside restaurants, three gift shops and community organizations offering Grant specials and activities. A bus will run every half hour from New Richmond to the Grant Birthplace in nearby Point Pleasant, where you can tour the birthplace and take part in family activities.

 

Activities at Grant Birthplace

SAT. APRIL 23 & SUN. APRIL 24 • 10 A.M.-4 P.M

U.S Grant Birthplace- 1551 St. Rt. 232 Point Pleasant, Ohio 45153

Civil War reenactors will have a small living history of what a camp was like for Union Troops. Visitors will be able to interact with the soldiers and wander into the camp. A wandering storyteller will share stories about the doctor from New Richmond who delivered Grant, abolitionist lifeways of Clermont County during that time that influenced Grant, and a story of the house and its travels.

 

Historic Dance Demonstration by the Forget-Me-Nots Dance Company

SAT. APRIL 23 • 3 P.M

U.S. Grant Birthplace- 1551 State Route 232 Point Pleasant , Ohio 45153

See members of the University of Cincinnati’s Forget-Me-Nots Dance Company give a costumed demonstration of social dances popular at the time Grant was born. Visitors are invited to learn the dance steps and participate.

 

Cake-Cutting Ceremony with Speeches

SAT. APRIL 23 • 4 P.M

U.S. Grant Birthplace, 1551 State Route 232, Point Pleasant

Official opening of the season, hosted by Historic New Richmond

 

Grant’s Bicentennial Proclamation

WEDS. APRIL 27 • 2:00 P.M

U.S. Grant Birthplace- 1551 State Route 232 Point Pleasant, Ohio 45153

Proclamation by dignitaries in attendance, with tours and light refreshments.

 

President Ulysses S. Grant Birthday Bicentennial Dinner

WEDS. APRIL 27 • 6:00 P.M

Norlyn Manor- 4440 S.R. 132 Batavia, Ohio 45103

A special Presidential Dinner celebrating the bicentennial of Ulysses S. Grant’s birthday on April 27, 1822. Dinner, prepared by an all-star team of chefs from Clermont County, will be inspired by a presidential menu from the 1860’s. You will also have the opportunity to experience menu items that would have been found on the plates of Union soldiers during the Civil War. Period music to be played by Union Army Band and speech/reenactment of Ulysses S. Grant by local actors.

*Purchase event tickets HERE

 

Women in Grant’s Life

THURS. APRIL 28 • 6 P.M

Georgetown United Methodist Church- 217 S. Main St. Georgetown, Ohio 45121

Brown County Historical Society will present a program by Chris Burns.

 

The Grants in Bethel

FRI. APRIL 29 • 6 P.M

Living the Word Church- 402 W. Plane St. Bethel, Ohio 45106

Dr. Curt Fields as Grant will discuss Grant and his family’s time living in Bethel in the early 1840s, while Grant was a student at West Point, with period music from Steve & Lisa Ball.

 

A Conversation with General U.S. Grant

SAT. APRIL 30 • 10 A.M

Gaslight Theater- 110 E. State St. Georgetown, Ohio 45121

Featuring Admiral Sean Buck, Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis & Dr. Curt Fields as U.S. Grant

 

U.S Grant Celebration Day Lunch

SAT. APRIL 30 • NOON

Fellowship Hall, Georgetown United Methodist Church- 217 S. Main St. Georgetown, Ohio 45121

*Lunch available for purchase- Ulysses’ birthday cake will be served.

 

A Conversation with President U.S. Grant

SAT. APRIL 30 • 2 P.M

Gaslight Theater, 110 E. State St. Georgetown, Ohio 45121

Featuring Dr. Charles Calhoun of Greenville, NC, author, The Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant, and Dr. Curt Fields as Ulysses S. Grant. As president, in 1871 Grant created the United States Department of Justice to enforce basic rights for African Americans, then under siege by Ku Klux Klan terrorism. In 1875, Grant signed the landmark Civil Rights Act (later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court), ending separation in public accommodations and more. This program will focus on Grant’s strong support for freed people.

 

Band Concert, Light Show & Fireworks Finale 

SAT. APRIL 30 • 6 P.M- 10 P.M

Courthouse Square, Georgetown

Hear the Ohio National Guard Military Band in concert. Enjoy a light show and fireworks finale.