Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Why does Grant get such a big tomb?

Answer: As the victorious commanding general of the Union Army, Ulysses S. Grant is credited as the defender of the Union. He was respected in both the North and the South. When he died, Grant was the most popular American - domestically and internationally.

Question: Why is the mausoleum in New York City?

Answer: For the last five years of his life, Ulysses S. Grant resided in New York City where his wife, Julia, believed he would have wanted to be laid to rest. Learn more about the Grants' decision to build the mausoleum in Riverside Park.

Question: Why is the Tomb's interior visibility different each time I visit?

Answer: Did you know that the mausoleum did not have electricity until 1923? Even today there is very little light source from electricity.

That's right! The inside of the mausoleum is mostly naturally lit by sunlight that comes in through the open front bronze doors, nine amber stained glass windows on the main floor and the 14 windows in the upper dome. So, the lighting in the mausoleum is always changing with the weather. On cloudy and overcast days the mausoleum can become quite dark!

As the sun sets earlier in the fall and winter months, it is best to visit earlier in the day to get a better view of the details inside the mausoleum.

Question: Why are there no public restrooms?

Answer: According to oral tradition, Mrs. Grant requested that there never be a public restroom in her tomb.