Beginner’s Luck

When President U.S. Grant visited Roseland Cottage on July 4, 1870, he tried his hand at bowling and rolled a strike on his first attempt. Grant wanted to light up a celebratory cigar but was told by Bowen that he disapproved of smoking and didn’t allow it. Grant, according to Bowen’s son Herbert, slipped out to the garden and “smoked to his heart’s content.” This engraving of Grant is in the bowling alley at Roseland Cottage, commemorating President Grant’s visit.