Cobblestone Museum hosting talk by manager of Grant historic site

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 13 February 2025 at 8:38 am

CHILDS – The second in a series of virtual presentations to benefit the Cobblestone Museum has been announced by assistant director Sue Bonafini.

“The Greatest Act: Ulysses S. Grant and Civil Rights” will be presented on Zoom video conference at 7 p.m. Feb. 27, featuring Ben Kemp, operations manager for the U.S. Grant Cottage State Historic Site, as speaker.

The U.S. Grant Cottage State Historic Site is located in Gansevoort in the Adirondack Mountains. It was in that cottage, owned by Joseph W. Drexel, where Grant died of throat cancer during a six week stay there in 1885 to complete his memoirs.

This is a fitting program during Black History Month, which highlights a very difficult but promising period of the Civil Rights struggle and Ulysses S. Grant’s role in it, Bonafini said.

Throughout his early life, Grant lived among pro and anti-slavery factions. His views on the rights of Black Americans would evolve due to transformative experiences and an abiding sensitivity to injustice. This virtual presentation will provide information on Grant’s journey from living on a slave plantation to signing the most significant civil rights legislation of the 19th century.

Participants will learn about Grant’s efforts to protect the rights of the formerly enslaved and the significant challenges he faced. Those who log in to this presentation will discover how Grant’s commitment to civil rights left a lasting legacy that continues to protect the rights of all Americans.

Reservations are required by contacting www.CobblestoneMuseum.org, or calling (585) 589-9013. A sliding scale donation is greatly appreciated using PayPal or a credit card on the Cobblestone Society’s registration page. Anyone needing assistance or wishing more information may contact Bonafini at volunteers@cobblestonemuseum.org or call (585) 589-9013.

Virtual attendees will receive a Zoom link during the week of the program.

Sponsor for this virtual presentation is Pat’s Auto Repair of Albion.