Porch Chat: Napoleon Smith, President Grant's Imaginary Friend - 06/08/2014

History lecture series

When President Grant opened the Centennial Exhibition in 1876, he shared the stage with dozens of Union veterans. One of the veterans was invisible. He was invisible because he was a figment in the rich imagination of W.J. Arkell. Arkell, a fabulously rich and eccentric businessman, would one day bring the desperately ill Ulysses S. Grant to Grant Cottage. But in 1876 Arkell was writing a novel, the lead character of which is Gettysburg hero Napoleon Smith. Arkell's tale weaves together historical fact and fiction. It's improbable, funny, passionate and ultimately wonderful. W.J. Arkell himself will meet you on the Grant Cottage porch where he will recount Napoleon Smith's adventures. Mr. Arkell will be portrayed by Grant Cottage tour guide Steve Trimm.