General Ulysses S. Grant's temporary tomb illustration

The illustration is an artist's rendering of the temporary tomb of General Ulysses S. Grant, Riverside Park, New York, New York. The image shows a group of people standing on a path leading to the small barrel-shaped vault. The tomb is situated in a tree-lined area near the east bank of the Hudson River. An inset in the upper left corner shows a man in military uniform playing a bugle. The inset's inscription reads: "The soldier's burial--typical military ceremony of 'Taps,' or bugle signal for extinguishing lights." An inset in the upper right corner illustrates the tomb's interior, which contains Grant's coffin; a sign bearing the name "Galena" (Illinois town where Grant and his family once lived); a white dove above a military insignia; and several other objects. The tomb's barred gate bears the initial "G." In accordance with Grant’s wishes, his family selected Riverside Park as the site of his final resting place. He died July 23, 1885, in Mount McGregor, New York, and his remains were interred in this temporary vault. Shortly after his death a newly organized grassroots organization, the Grant Monument Association, began accepting donations to fund the construction of a permanent memorial. Ninety thousand individuals collectively donated an estimated $600,000 to the fund its construction (the largest public fundraising effort at the time). The cornerstone was laid in 1891, and the memorial was completed six years later. More than one million people attended the parade and dedication ceremony of General Grant National Memorial (popularly known as Grant’s Tomb) on April 27, 1897. Julia Grant died on December 14, 1902, in Washington, D.C., and her remains were interred beside her husband's in a twin sarcophagus. Architect John Duncan designed the granite and marble structure, still the largest mausoleum in North America.