Galena Attractions 
The little town of Galena at the extreme north-western tip of Illinois was originally a French outpost, a base for the exploration of the north-west. In the 19th c. lead mining in the surrounding area made it the wealthiest town in the state. Galena has largely preserved its 19th c. aspect, with many handsome antebellum houses bearing witness to its former prosperity. Particularly fine is the Old Market House, once occupied by General (later President) Ulysses S. Grant.
Ulysses S. Grant Home State Historic Site
The Grant Home was presented to Ulysses S. Grant in 1865 upon his return from the Civil War, this home contains many of his belongings as well as original furnishings.
Hours
April 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 16:45 | 16:45 | 16:45 | 16:45 | 16:45 |
November 1 to March 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Always closed on:
Martin Luther King's Birthday - USA (3rd Monday, January )
New Year's Day (January 1)
President's Day - USA (3rd Monday, February )
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Veteran's Day - USA (November 11)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
New Year's Day (January 1)
President's Day - USA (3rd Monday, February )
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Veteran's Day - USA (November 11)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Belvedere Mansion
The Belvedere Mansion was built in 1857. The Italianate mansion features decorative arts, draperies from "Gone with the Wind", and period furnishings.
Dowling House
Dowling House was built in native limestone in 1826. It is Galena's oldest house furnished with primitives and an extensive collection of Galena pottery.
Galena (Jo Daviess County History Museum)
The Galena Historical Museum is housed in the Daniel A. Barrows mansion, built 1858. The Italianate home still has many of the original details. Exhibits include mining, steamboating, Ulysses S. Grant and the Civil War, costumes and textiles, and other historical artifacts.
Galena Historical Museum
211 South Bench Street
Galena, IL 61036-2203
United States
211 South Bench Street
Galena, IL 61036-2203
United States
Phone 1 (815) 777-9129
Fax 1 (815) 777-9131
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
New Year's Eve (December 31)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
New Year's Eve (December 31)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Linmar Gardens
Linmar Gardens is on a hillside overlooking the town of Galena. The collection of plants includes hostas, viburnums, conifers, grasses and daylilies. The garden also has a water feature with ponds and a 20 foot waterfall cascading from a natural bluff.
Old Market House State Historic Site
The Greek Revival building, Old Market House, was built in 1845 and served as a city hall and a public meeting place during Galena's most prosperous era.
Hours
April 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | Closed |
| Close | 16:45 | 16:45 |
November 1 to December 15
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | Closed |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Always closed on:
Martin Luther King's Birthday - USA (3rd Monday, January )
New Year's Day (January 1)
President's Day - USA (3rd Monday, February )
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Veteran's Day - USA (November 11)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
New Year's Day (January 1)
President's Day - USA (3rd Monday, February )
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Veteran's Day - USA (November 11)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Washburne House
Elihu B. Washburne was a prominent attorney, as well as political adviser to Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant. His home was constructed in 1843 in Greek Revival style.
Hours
May 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 10:00 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 16:00 |
