United for Libraries to designate Grant Cottage a Literary Landmark

MOREAU, New York – United for Libraries, in partnership with Empire State Center for the Book and the Friends of the Ulysses S. Grant Cottage, will designate the U.S. Grant Cottage State Historic Site a Literary Landmark.

A Literary Landmark plaque dedication ceremony will be held at Grant Cottage on Saturday, Sept. 16, 1 p.m. The ceremony will feature keynote speaker David S. Nolen, assistant editor at Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library and contributor to the annotated edition of “The Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.” Early-release copies of the annotated memoirs will be available for purchase and signing by Nolen.

Additional speakers will include Rocco Staino, director of the Empire State Center for the Book, and Alane Ball-Chinian, Saratoga-Capital Regional Director of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.  U.S. Grant (portrayed by Steve Trimm) and Mark Twain (portrayed by Kevin O’Brien) will be in attendance and available for tin-type photographs by Glens Falls Art (weather permitting).

“Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant” has never been out of print and stands as a work of profound political, historical and literary significance, praised by such diverse critics as Mark Twain, Thomas Nast, Henry James, Gertrude Stein, Edmund Wilson, Bruce Catton and Gore Vidal

Grant Cottage thanks generous sponsors Saratoga Arms, Northshire Bookstore, and Glens Falls Art for making the Literary Landmark status possible.

U.S. Grant Cottage State Historic Site is the final home of Ulysses S. Grant, Civil War Commanding General of the U.S. Army, 18th U.S. President and beloved American public figure. Impoverished by a Ponzi-style swindle and dying of throat cancer, he moved to the Cottage on June 16, 1885. He completed “Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant” only days before his death on July 23, 1885. The two-volume publication ensured his family’s financial security and gave the world one of the most critically acclaimed memoirs by a U.S. president or historic military figure. Grant Cottage is owned by the State of New York and operated by The Friends of the Ulysses S. Grant Cottage, Inc. 

The Literary Landmark program is administered by United for Libraries. Since the conception of the program in 1986, more than 160 Literary Landmarks across the United States have been dedicated. Any library or group may apply for a Literary Landmark through United for Libraries; visit www.ala.org/united/products_services/literarylandmarks.

United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, is a division of the American Library Association with approximately 4,000 personal and group members representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters. United for Libraries supports those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries, and brings together library trustees, advocates, friends, and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. To join, please visit www.ala.org/united or call (800) 545-2433, ext. 2161.