Ryan M. Lee

🇺🇸 Grant’s Tomb has again fallen into serious disrepair. The April 2026 letter the Grant Monument Association sent the @WhiteHouse, @NYCMayor, and other government officials is linked in comments. A mid-1990s restoration on his tomb, forced by public pressure and threats from Grant descendants that the remains might be moved, spent about $1.8 million. It cleaned graffiti, fixed the roof and water damage, and replaced the crumbling plaza in time for the 1997 centennial of the tomb’s dedication. In March 2019 the Grant Monument Association warned the President and Congress that the problems had returned. Its April 2026 follow-up says none of the requested work was done. Water damage at the cupola and roof is now substantially worse, with discoloration and falling plaster reaching the stairwell and the ceilings above the reliquary rooms. A former NPS employee documented lead-positive peeling paint, visible mold, possible asbestos and contaminated water, and no functioning heating, air conditioning, or air filtration inside the Tomb. The cracked outdoor plaza has been called a safety hazard by the NPS itself. As of the end of FY2025, the agency lists roughly $1.5 million in deferred maintenance and repairs for the site, nearly all of it tied to the buildings. The Association has again asked for roof and water-damage repairs, removal of the hazards, plaza work, round-the-clock security, HVAC fixes, and related measures. Grant deserves better. @Grantstomb