Oglesby Mansion is not open to the public at this time but you can enjoy the video below depicting President Ulysses S. Grant’s visit to Oglesby Mansion.

Each year Oglesby Mansion Players present “President Grant’s Visit to Decatur” for area fifth grade school children.

Four characters are portrayed in Jennifer Wilson’s historical play. After the play each actor is interviewed by the students, and questions are answered in character to reflect life only up to 1880, the year of Grant’s visit. Governor Oglesby has been asked how long it took to get to the California gold fields, was he injured in the Civil War, and how did he meet President Lincoln. Mrs. Oglesby was asked if the children had pets, could the students talk to her children, and what is an academy. President Grant was asked if he had ever been injured in the wars, what was his horse’s name, and why was he wearing tennis shoes.

Students and chaperones are then given a tour of the mansion, and then they return to the present, to learn from our docent about the Mansion’s restoration and preservation. If you’re a lucky fifth grader or an Oglesby Mansion patron then you can see the play later this year. However, if you can’t attend then you can get a sense of the play and the Oglesby Mansion by viewing the video below.

Video and photo credits: Virginia Kickle