The Greatest Act: U.S. Grant & Civil Rights – Ben Kemp, Operations Manager, U.S. Grant Cottage State Historic Site (February 27, 2025, 7 pm EST). A fitting program during Black History Month, the subject matter helps highlight a very difficult but promising period of the Civil Rights struggle and Grant’s role in it.
“The fifteenth amendment to the Constitution completes the greatest civil change and constitutes the most important event that has occurred since the nation came into life.” – President Grant in 1870
Throughout his early life, Ulysses S. 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. Find out more about Grant’s journey from living on a slave plantation to signing the most significant civil rights legislation of the 19th century. Learn about his efforts to protect the rights of the formerly enslaved and the significant challenges he faced. Discover how Grant’s commitment to civil rights left a lasting legacy that continues to protect the rights of all Americans.
Speaker bio:
Ben Kemp is a living historian, speaker, and researcher who has been featured by C-Span, PBS, the National Park Service, and on the 2020 History Channel documentary Grant. He has been a staff member at Grant Cottage State Historic Site (National Historic Landmark) since 2014.
Your sliding scale donations are greatly appreciated using PayPal or a credit card on our registration page. Need assistance or have questions? Send email to Sue Bonafini at volunteers@cobblestonemuseum.org or call 585-589-9013. Virtual attendees will receive a zoom link during the week of the program.
Pat’s Auto Repair (Albion) is the sponsor for this virtual program