U.S. Grant's Birthday Celebration
April 20-22, 2012

Friday, April 20
Lamplight Tour of the Elihu Washburne Home
4:00 – 7:00 at the Elihu Washburne Home State Historic Site (908 Third St.)
Get a rare peak inside the home of one of the most influential politicians of the Civil War-era. This lamp lit tour will highlight the history of the Washburne family and the beautiful architecture of this Italianate home. Donation suggested.

Lamplight Tour of the Grant Home with General and Mrs. Grant
5:00 – 7:00pm at the Grant Home State Historic Site (500 Bouthillier St.)
Join Grant reenactors Scott and Peggy Whitney as they give you an intimate lamp lit tour of Grant's home. Donation suggested.

Members Only Museum Open House and Exhibit Sneak Peak
6:00 – 8:00pm at the Galena and U.S. Grant Museum (211 S. Bench St.)
Celebrating the museum's newest exhibit, Images of Grant: Friends, Family, & Foes. Open to museum members only. (Interested in becoming a member? Click here to find out more!) Refreshments.


Saturday April 21, 2012
FREE Museum Admission all day, 9:00 – 4:30!

Images of U.S. Grant: Friends, Family, & Foes
9:00am – 4:30pm at the Galena and U.S. Grant Museum (211 S. Bench St.)
Join us on the opening day of our new temporary exhibit (one year limited run) featuring rare and unique Grant images on loan from Grant collector Bill Margeson.
Free museum admission and birthday cake!

45th Illinois Infantry, Company B
9:00 – 1:00 at Gateway to History (403 S. Main St.)
Learn about the lives of soldiers from these reenactors representing the local 45th Illinois Volunteers. Free.

3rd Iowa Artillery Exhibition
10:00am – 4:00pm at Gateway to History (403 S. Main St.)
Chat with reenactors and learn more about Civil War-era military technology. Free.

2nd Kentucky Cavalry Patrol
10:00am – 4:00pm on the Museum grounds and Main Street
Chat with reenactors and learn more about mounted units. Free.

Home Front Pie Auction
11:00am at Gateway to History
Costumed bakers auction off their delicious creations during a lively and fun auction. All proceeds benefit the Galena & U.S. Grant Museum. Free.

2nd Kentucky Calvary and the Cunning Kidnapper Trial
12:00pm at the Galena and U.S. Grant Museum
A member of the 2nd Kentucky has infiltrated Galena and has hatched a nefarious plan to kidnap Ulysses S. Grant. Learn more about Galena's southern sympathies during this dramatic (and fictional) trail of the would-be kidnapper. Free.

45th Illinois Infantry, Company B
1:00-3:00pm at the Galena and U.S. Grant Museum
Learn about the lives of soldiers from these reenactors representing Jo Daviess County's local 45th Illinois Volunteers. Free.

General and Mrs. Grant Presentation
1:00pm at the Galena and U.S. Grant Museum
Grant reenactors Scott and Peggy Whitney discuss the topic "From Hardscrabble to the White House." Free.

President Lincoln and General Grant Presentation
2:00pm at the Galena and U.S. Grant Museum
Lincoln reenactor Max Daniels and Grant reenactor Larry Werline discuss their military strategies from the beginning of the war through the surrender at Appomattox. Free.

Dr. Mary Walker Presentation
3:00 at the Galena and U.S. Grant Museum
Learn about the life of Dr. Mary Walker, the first female military surgeon and the only woman to win the Medal of Honor, portrayed by Carolyn Richards. Free.

Galena, Grant, and the Civil War Trivia Quiz
7pm (dinner); quiz begins at 8:00pm at the DeSoto House Hotel (230 S. Main St.)
Join quiz master Bill Margeson for a fun and festive evening of Civil War and Galena trivia. If you think you know your history, get a team of four together and sharpen your pencils – this is an event not to be missed! Scheduled to appear: President Lincoln, General Grant, and President Grant. Cash bar, prizes, and auction of Grant items and homemade pies. Registration required; $30 per person (dinner included); $10 per person (quiz only). Teams of four. Please call 815.777.9129 or email info@galenahistorymuseum.org to register.


Sunday April 17, 2011
FREE Museum Admission all day, 9:00 – 4:30!

Images of U.S. Grant: Friends, Family, & Foes
9:00am – 4:30pm at the Galena and U.S. Grant Museum (211 S. Bench St.)
Join us on the opening weekend of our new temporary exhibit (one year limited run) featuring rare and unique Grant images on loan from Grant collector Bill Margeson.
Free museum admission and birthday cake!

3rd Iowa Artillery Exhibition
9:00am – 4:00pm at the Gateway to History (403 S. Main St.)
Chat with reenactors and learn more about Civil War-era military technology. Free.

Civil War-Era Church Service
10:30am at United Methodist Church
Come worship in the same church that Grant attended during his time in Galena. The service will be followed by a potluck luncheon. Free.

  

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.