U.S. Grant's Birthday Celebration

April 17-19, 2009

       
                                           
 

Living history Encampments

Portrayals of military and civilian camp life, including
drilling with artillery.  19th-century goods for sale.

Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.       
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.

East banks of the Galena River

Witness roll call, drilling, skirmishing, and more. 

Please fill out one registration form per unit.  All members of the unit, military or civilian, must fill out a waiver form as well.

                              Questions? info@galenahistorymuseum.org or 815-777-9129 

 

Muster at the Post Office

Green Street Plaza

11:00 a.m.

Come watch the troops drill in front of one of the nation's oldest operating post offices.

 

Pie Auction

Green Street Plaza

11:30 a.m.

Enjoy bidding on a tasty creation.  Who knows, maybe President Lincoln or General Thomas can help you have a slice of the action!

 

 

Concert by Hammer and Pick

And

"Destiny at Appomattox"

Concert begins at 1:30 p.m.

Destiny at Appomattox begins at 2:30 p.m.

One ticket price $8.00

Saturday afternoon
Turner Hall
115 S. Bench Street, Galena
A living history presentation of General Lee’s surrender to General Grant
on April 9, 1865.
 

 

Dining with the Famous and Infamous

Saturday, 5:30 p.m. Cocktails and appetizers
6:30 p.m. Dinner
DeSoto House Hotel
230 S. Main Street.
Meet General Grant, President & Mrs. Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth, the famous spy and actress Pauline Cushman and many others in this unique evening. 
Reservations are required; seating is limited.
$45.00 including tax and gratuity

 

U.S. Grant's Birthday Ball

Saturday, 8:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Turner Hall
115 S. Bench Street, Galena
Music by Hammer & Pick
An evening of music, dancing and socializing. 
Birthday cake served in honor of Ulysses S. Grant. 
$20.00 per person

 

Period Church Service

Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
Galena United Methodist Church
125 S. Bench Street.
A service in the spirit of the 1860s at U.S. Grant’s church.

 

From Hardscrabble to the White House: the story of President and Mrs. Grant

Presented by Scott and Peggy Whitney

Sunday, 1 p.m. at the encampment food tent

Learn what the Grants experienced firsthand as they traveled from despair to fortune.

 

 

This event is hosted by the
Spirits of the Museum
and sponsored by the

Galena/Jo Daviess County
History Museum

A private, non-profit organization founded in 1938 to collect, preserve and interpret the history of Galena and Jo Daviess County, Illinois. 

The museum is housed in the 1858 Daniel A. Barrows mansion located at 211 S. Bench Street. 

 

The History of the Grant Birthday Celebration in Galena

In the spring of 1893, the Grant Birthday Association was organized. Its purpose was to perpetuate the custom of annually celebrating General Grant's birthday, April 27th. The Association continued the celebrations until 1924.  During the 1895 celebration, the City was presented with Thomas Nast's "Peace in Union" oil painting depicting Lee's surrender to Grant in 1865. This 9'x12' painting now hangs in the Galena History Museum.  In 1904, Grant's oldest son General Frederick Dent Grant, with his wife and distinguished visitors, came to Galena and took part in the Birthday celebration, which was held at Turner Hall. As an important part of the program, he presented the Grant Home to the City of Galena, in the name of the heirs of his father's estate. In 1932, the City gave the Grant Memorial Home to the State of Illinois.  The two cannons that are in Grant Park were given to the City during other Grant Birthday celebrations.


To order tickets, please send your request to:
Spirits of the Museum
c/o Galena History Museum
211 S. Bench Street.
Galena, IL 61036

Questions about the event?
Call  815-777-9129


This event is sponsored by:
The Spirits of the Museum
211 S. Bench St.
Galena, IL. 61036-2203
Phone: (815) 777-9129 / Fax: (815) 777-9131
Email: info@galenahistorymuseum.org

 

Home