Join Us for an Engaging Winter Program! ❄️ Mark your calendars for February 16th at 2:00 PM for the Galena Historical Society’s Winter Program, streaming live via Zoom! This exciting session features Thomas B. Mack, author of The Lead Mine Men: The Enduring 45th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Dive into the fascinating history of the 45th […]
Join us on March 23rd at 2:00pm for an in-person program presented by the author of The War Eagle Years, Robert Taunt. Discover the fascinating history of these sister steamboats and river commerce on the Mississippi and Galena Rivers. FREE ADMISSION & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! Date: March 23, 2025 Time: 2:00 PM CST […]
Join us on April 6th for our final Winter Program presented by Historian & Museum Specialist, Tracey Lee Roberts. As women were assigned distinct roles within society, they had to strive to establish their identities and life’s work. Through a diverse range of source materials, we can listen to the many voices of Galena’s women […]
Join us on Wednesday, April 9th, as we commemorate the 160th anniversary of the historic surrender at Appomattox Courthouse, a pivotal moment in American history that marked the end of the Civil War. To mark this occasion, the museum will host a special open house featuring behind-the-scenes tours of the Museum from 4 p.m. to […]
Join us at the Galena & U.S. Grant Museum on April 25th from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for an open house! Everyone is welcome, and admission is free. Let’s celebrate together with treats! Come explore our unique artifacts and diverse exhibits. We can’t wait to see you there! What: Grant’s Birthday Celebration Where: Galena […]
Join us for a free, public information meeting to learn more about the new Galena & U.S. Grant Museum project. Construction began in April 2025 and we anticipate opening the new facility next summer 2026. Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2025Time: 6:00 PMLocation: DeSoto Hotel – Parker Room Come learn about the project and how you […]
New Exhibit Open House: Honoring Lametta Wynn Discover the inspiring story of Lametta Wynn—Galena resident and Iowa’s first Black mayor—at our newest temporary exhibit! 📅 Open House: Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at Museum (211 S Bench St, Galena)🕒 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. and a speech at 6:00 p.m. FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME! Join us for […]
Galena Cemetery Walk Join us for the 32nd Annual Galena Cemetery Walk and experience Galena’s history brought to life through captivating performances. Indoor Performance September 11, 2026 7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM) Location: Galena Center for the Arts Outdoor Performances September 12–13, 2026 1:00 PM–4:30 PM Location: Greenwood Cemetery Admission: $20 per person […]
Join us for a fascinating guided tour of the historic Lead Mine District aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned coach equipped with onboard restroom facilities. Along the way, explore the rich history of the region through engaging stories and remarkable landscapes. Learn about the lifeways of the Native American and Métis communities and their relationships with the […]
The Galena & U.S. Grant Museum at the Barrows Mansion will be closed September 21–25 as we begin moving to our new facility.
We will reopen with limited exhibits September 26–October 5, then close the Barrows Mansion permanently.
Our new museum is expected to open by mid-November.
Thank you for your patience as we make this exciting transition!