This article is about the equestrian statue in Philadelphia. For the equestrian statue in Washington, D.C., see Ulysses S. Grant Memorial. For the equestrian statue in Chicago, see Ulysses S. Grant Monument.
By Fall 1897, the monument was completed and put in place in Fairmount Park, with tentative plans to unveil the monument on April 27, 1898 (Grant's birthday). However, the sinking of the USS Maine and the subsequent declaration of the Spanish–American War in 1898 caused the dedication ceremony to be delayed. Subsequently, the ceremony was rescheduled to October 27, 1898 (Military Day).[15] However, issues related to an associated military parade caused the ceremony to once more be rescheduled to April 27, 1899.[16] In Fall 1898, President William McKinley was invited to attend the ceremony, which he accepted.[14] Additional invitations were extended to members of the President's cabinet, several military officers, and members of Grant's family.[17] At 2:00 p.m. on the date of the ceremony, a procession was held through the city to Fairmount Park, with President McKinley escorted by the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry.[18] In addition to the previously listed guests, the procession included many consuls.[19] At 3:00 p.m., the procession ended and the guests took their places near the monument.[19]
Following the statue's unveiling, an additional speech was given and French and Potter were introduced to the crowd, to large applaud.[25] Three wreaths were placed on the pedestal, presented by the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (which Grant had been a member of), Chinese ambassador to the United States Wu Tingfang, and the Society of Daughters of the Revolution.[25] Afterwards, another parade was held with President McKinley and other distinguished guests,[26] which was followed by a celebratory dinner held at the Union League of Philadelphia.[27] The final part of the festivities related to the monument's dedication took place later that night at the Academy of Music, where multiple orations were given regarding Grant and the statue.[28]
Design
According to a publication issued by the Fairmount Park Art Association after the monument's unveiling, the statue depicts a moment when Grant is surveying a battlefield. Ulysses's son Frederick Dent Grant assisted the sculptors in the design of Grant's hat and overcoat. The statue of the horse is modeled after General Grant, a gelding descended from a horse owned by Grant.[13] The statue weighs approximately 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg) and has a height of slightly over 15 feet (4.6 m). The granite pedestal for the statue is a pale pink and also has a height of slightly over 15 feet (4.6 m). The front of the pedestal features a bronze wreath surrounding the word "GRANT".[14]
The monument is located at the intersection of Fountain Green Drive and East Park River Drive inside the park.[14]