About
The Ulysses S. Grant Symposium:
Established in 2014, the U.S. Grant Symposium is an annual event which brings together scholars, historians, authors, and civil war enthusiasts to explore and discuss the life, career, and legacy of Ulysses S. Grant – with a particular interest in his relationship with Missouri and the greater Midwest.
Mission Statement:
To explore, interpret, and highlight Missouri as the center point of U.S. Grant’s military and political life.
Goals and Strategies:
- Enhance the public’s awareness of Grant’s connection with Missouri and how it shaped the trajectory of his life.
- Partner with local and regional organizations to create a network for research, education, and preservation dedicated to Grant in Missouri.
- Feature speakers who highlight overlooked aspects of Grant’s legacy.
- Promote the U.S. Grant trail and encourage visits to associated landmarks and historic sites.
- Partner with historical societies, organizations, and sites to tell localized grant stories.
The U.S. Grant Symposium in Cape Girardeau is an annual one-day conference that brings together historians, authors, and Civil War enthusiasts to explore Ulysses S. Grant’s military career, his Missouri connections, and his political legacy, especially Reconstruction. Past programs have included prominent speakers such as former U.S. Senator Roy Blunt and experts on Grant’s presidency, while the bicentennial year in 2022 highlighted themes like the 15th Amendment. The 12th annual event, scheduled for November 7, 2025, at Kellerman-Lorimier Hall, will include talks by Curt Fields, Lyle Randolph, and Louis L. Picone. Admission is free but registration is encouraged, and sessions typically run from morning through mid-afternoon with breaks and a lunch period, occasionally supplemented by online streaming to broaden access.
U.S. Grant Trail
The U.S. Grant Symposium was established by the U.S. Grant Trail organization to further its mission of education, preservation, and public awareness surrounding sites connected to Ulysses S. Grant. As part of its broader efforts—acting as an educational and funding clearinghouse, preserving heritage resources, promoting historic tourism, and sharing Grant-related history with scholars and the public—this symposium brings together community members, scholars, and heritage professionals to explore, learn, and collaborate. The U.S. Grant Trail welcomes anyone who shares its commitment: all are welcome to join the organization, support its work, and help keep the legacy of Grant alive. Click the link below to learn more.
Registration
Registration for the U.S. Grant Symposium is handled on a separate website (usually linked from the official symposium page) rather than directly on the event description—when you click the “Register” or “Attend” button on usgrantsymposium.org you’ll be taken to a third-party registration portal or the host’s own signup page where you enter your name and contact information, choose in-person or virtual attendance if offered, and receive an email confirmation/QR ticket; that registration site is also where you’ll find details about parking, accessibility requests, optional donations, and any last-minute updates, so always use the linked registration page rather than assuming registration happens on the informational event page.
