Life in Saratoga at the Time the Grants Visited - 07/06/2013

Local author speaks about Grant's visits to Saratoga Springs

Following the Civil War, the Grants were the social family of the country. They visited Saratoga most summers including the summer of 1865, when Grant was considered the man who saved the Union. This presentation will focus on who the Grants would have visited while in town, what they did on a daily basis and what made Saratoga the national social center.  The presenter is local author and historian, Dr. Hollis Palmer.  Dr. Palmer has written 11 books including See and Be Seen: Saratoga in the Victorian Era.  This book focuses on Saratoga during the time Grant visited and was the 2011 winner of the prestigious Ruth Emery Award for the best local history book from the National Victorian Society.

The program will be preceded with period music performed on the porch by the 77th Regimental Balladeers.  Following Palmer's presentation, visitors can take part in a traditional 19th century cakewalk featuring numerous varieties of cake.