Oliver and Martha Clarke Welcome You - 05/26/2013

Presentation with 19th century costumed re-enactors

For 100 years after General Grant's death, Grant Cottage was preserved and maintained by a series of caretakers.  The first two were Oliver and Martha Clarke, a husband and wife team from central New York State.  Oliver, a Union veteran and survivor of the infamous Andersonville Prison, was caretaker for 27 years.  After his death, Martha assumed the caretaker's role and managed the job masterfully for 24 years.  Oliver and Martha will return to Grant Cottage on opening day.  They will talk about their courtship (he sang beautifully, she played the harmonium), their lives together, and how much they came to love Mount McGregor and the legacy of Ulysses S. Grant.  Oliver will  be portrayed by Cottage tour guide and local historian Steve Trimm, Martha will be portrayed by current and founding Friends board member Melissa Trombley-Prosch.