The Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library

Mississippi State University

Our 18th President has a new home in the south.

Ulysses S. Grant was more than just our 18th President. He was a dedicated family man, a determined and courageous general, and a revered statesman. These stories, and more, are now on permanent display at Mississippi State University, which has become one of only six universities to host a presidential library. Relative Scale created six interactive experiences and over twenty original videos for the Grant Library and the Frank and Virginia Williams Collection of Lincolniana.

The Introductory Films interactive offers four short films about Ulysses S. Grant. Narrated by native Mississippian James Earl Jones, and featuring interviews with prominent Grant historians, these films introduce the four themes of the gallery experience: Grant as a Family Man, a General, a President, and a Statesman.

But Grant has also been mythologized throughout history. He has been called a drunk, a butcher, unintelligent, corrupt, a slave owner, and a bad businessman. The Myth vs. Fact interactive explores these six myths by providing the appropriate historical context. Guests discover artifacts, read quotes, participate in brief interactive games, and watch video interviews with historians in order to form their own impressions of who Ulysses S. Grant really was.

The Civil War and Presidency interactives are the signature media experiences in the gallery. Each story is thoughtfully organized into seven chapters. From the start of the Civil War, to the Siege of Vicksburg and Lee’s Surrender at Appomattox Court House… From Grant’s Inauguration as 18th President, to the Whisky Ring Scandal and the Election of Grant’s Successor, Rutherford B. Hayes… Each chapter is comprised of events that guests interpret through narrative text, archival imagery and artifacts, and historical quotes. A digital postcard feature provides guests with an opportunity to email their favorite images to a friend and sign up for future mailings from the Grant Library.

The Cortege Book interactive is a digital recreation of the Seven Mile Funeral Cortege of General Grant and is located next to this rare book in the gallery. Guests page through the digital book to view rare photographs, discover contextual information by touching hot spots, and learn more about the passing of Ulysses S. Grant.

The Frank and Virginia Williams Collection of Lincolniana complements the Grant Library with its wealth of Abraham Lincoln artifacts, family memorabilia, political pamphlets, and statues. The Learn More with Chief Justice Williams interactive provides a more in-depth examination of twelve of the gallery artifacts. Take a closer look at a telegram signed by President Lincoln...Read anti-Lincoln propaganda... Inspect a reward poster for Lincoln’s assassins... Each artifact has multiple stories to tell and guests touch hot spots to learn more. Chief Justice Williams presents each artifact in a short video, while explaining its significance as well as the importance of historical preservation.

Project Team

Exhibit Design:

HealyKohler Design

Exhibit Fabrication & AV Integration:

Formations