Grant Cottage’s New Accessible Overlook Pathway Provides Sweeping Views from Mount McGregor
(Wilton, NY) – Grant Cottage State Historic Site today celebrated the completion of a new 878-foot accessible, paved pathway to the site’s historic Eastern Overlook, opening its sweeping views to visitors of all abilities.
The overlook holds special significance to the story of Ulysses. S Grant. In the final days of his life in 1885, the ailing former President asked to be taken to the overlook one last time to experience the expansive view from Mount McGregor. The new pathway now makes that same experience accessible to all visitors.
This landmark accessibility project was made possible in part through a $300,000 grant from the New York State Park and Trail Partnership Grants program funded through the Environmental Protection Fund. The Park and Trail Partnership Grants program is administered by Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) in partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP). The grant was awarded to the Friends of Grant Cottage, which developed and managed the project. The total project was $376,000 with additional funding provided by the Friends of Grant Cottage and PTNY.
OPRHP Commissioner Kathy Moser said, “Strong partners like Parks & Trails New York and the Friends of Grant Cottage help us create the extraordinary experiences New Yorkers enjoy every day at our parks and historic sites. This new pathway is a wonderful example of what those partnerships can accomplish. Together, we have opened an awe-inspiring and historically significant view to visitors of all abilities. More than 140 years after President Grant asked to see this landscape one final time, everyone who visits Grant Cottage can now more easily follow in his footsteps and experience that same remarkable view.”
Ben Kemp Operations Manager at Grant Cottage said, “This project represents the commitment of our organization to expanding the experience of all visitors to better connect with the historic grounds and the historically important views of the site. The pathway traverses sections of the original 19th-century carriage road network and provides access to the perpetually inspiring view that defined the Victorian-era wilderness resort. The same route that an ailing Ulysses S. Grant traversed in 1885 in his Bath chair is now accessible for all who wish to experience it. We deeply appreciate our partnership with PTNY and OPRHP as well as the support of our membership, which helped make this landmark accessibility project a reality."
Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York Paul Steely White said, “Preserving our history means little if we can’t all share in it. Grant Cottage offers a rare connection to a defining moment in American history, set against one of New York’s most remarkable landscapes. We’re proud to support this project and ensure that more visitors can reach this view and feel a connection to the history that surrounds them.”
Assemblymember Carrie Woerner said, “I congratulate The Friends of Grant Cottage and NYS Parks on the completion of the new trail connecting visitors to the house with the overlook. The Friends' group plays a critical role in supporting to this historic site and once again they have added an amenity that will greatly enhance the Visitor experience.”
Previously, the Eastern Overlook was accessible only by hiking trail. The new paved pathway significantly expands access by reducing the grade, widening the route and providing a smooth surface suitable for wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Benches along the pathway provide places to rest and enjoy the surroundings, while three interpretive panels help visitors explore the history of the site. At the overlook, visitors will find a flag, historic monument and pedestal binoculars.
The view from the Eastern Overlook offers expansive views across New York’s Hudson River Valley, with the mountains of Massachusetts and Vermont visible in the distance. The landscape also encompasses areas associated with 1777 Saratoga Campaign, a turning point in the Revolutionary War that helped secure American independence. As the state and nation commemorate it’s 250th anniversary, the overlook offers visitors a unique place to experience the landscape and reflect on the history that unfolded across the region.
Grant Cottage is a New York State Historic Site and National Historic Landmark, commemorating and interpreting the final home of Civil War General and two-term U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant on Mount McGregor in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. During his time at the Cottage, which has also been designated a Literary Landmark, Grant completed the manuscript for his widely regarded memoirs and was visited by his friend and publisher, the famous author Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain).
For more information on the history and legacy of the Eastern Overlook, visit the Grant Cottage blog here.
Friends of Grant Cottage is a nonprofit organization formed in 1989 and committed to the preservation and interpretation of Grant Cottage. Its volunteers and paid staff offer tours of the historic cottage and host dozens of events throughout the year. For more information about upcoming events and how to become a member, visit U.S. Grant Cottage National Historic Landmark.
Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) is the statewide advocate for parks, trails, and public lands. Since its founding in 1985, PTNY has fought to improve the health and wellbeing of all New Yorkers through the enjoyment of statewide greenspaces. PTNY is the leading voice for the protection and expansion of New York’s incredible state park system and multi-use trail network, including more than 2,000 miles of greenways, bike paths, and river walks. Learn more at www.ptny.org.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 86 million visits annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.
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