As Christmas approaches, my family looks forward to their annual opportunity to be hailed as “The Great Pickle Finder.” This American tradition of hanging a blown glass pickle ornament on the family Christmas tree became popular at the end of the nineteenth century and a favorite one in my family for generations. Originally imported from the Lauscha region of Germany (renowned for its blown glass), ornaments of glass in the shapes of fruits and vegetables found their way into many U.S. homes of the period. How the pickle specifically became a favorite, however, is a compelling story with a setting of Christmas in 1864. It has an additional intriguing element bringing the founder of this tradition into a shared experience with Grant Cottage’s first caretaker – one that would profoundly affect both men. The story begins at the infamous Confederate prison camp (Camp Sumter) at Andersonville, Georgia.
Our spring newsletter includes a list of upcoming events, new membership benefits, information about two of the Cottage's caretakers, and more!
Sign up to receive Grant Cottage emails, including newsletters, program and event reminders and more!
In the spring of 1885 as an ailing Ulysses Grant sat at Drexel Cottage on Mt. McGregor contemplating his legacy, he received many heartwarming letters of support. Though the surrender of General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House, VA had occurred 20 years before it was fresh in his mind since he had just written about it for his memoirs.
“I took a family member for a pre booked tour and it was magnificent. Steve was our tour guide, and it was just two of us on his tour. Many great individual stories about the Grant family and some new artifacts on display. We brought lunch and enjoyed that on the overlook, on a clear day with that spectacular view. Everyone locally needs to visit this well preserved historic site, whether for a tour, enjoy a program, or just to enjoy the property. Linger a while in the gift shop, too.”
-BennCoah, TripAdvisor May 2022
Ulysses S. Grant Cottage
1000 Mt. McGregor Rd.
Wilton, NY 12831
Mailing Address:
Ulysses S. Grant Cottage
PO Box 2294
Wilton, NY 12831
(518) 584-4353 info@grantcottage.org
The Friends of the Ulysses S. Grant Cottage is the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which manages the daily operations & programming at Grant Cottage. Your generous support helps us keep history alive as we tell the story of Ulysses S. Grant's time on Mt. McGregor.
