Galena & U.S. Grant Museum — Attraction in Galena

If you enjoy museums, this is a must-see museum located in Galena, Illinois. We were able to visit during the 85th anniversary celebration of the museum opening which was a special weekend where attendees were able to explore the secrets of the museum with some very cool behind-the-scenes tours. The volunteers that run this museum are top-notch and we found that they were very knowledgeable and so open to sharing their knowledge with visitors. Although the museum is packed with many treasures, we were thrilled to be able to see the 9'x12' "Peace in Union" painting which depicts Lee's surrender to General Grant. Thank you to the volunteers for all they do to maintain this museum, document, add new items, prepare exhibits, etc. In the future, the museum will move to a new, modern...

Wonderful, well thought out exhibits, take you deep into Grant's life and times. With lots of fascinating details into everything else that was even tangentially connected to the Grant family.

The only complaint I have is that the lighting was seriously inadequate. I'm getting a bit older, and my eyesight is not what it once was, and I struggled to read, and see many of the exhibits.

So my recommendation would be, if you have any concerns about your eyesight, give them a couple of years. There is a plan in the works to move this museum to new digs, out by Grant's home, where I hope they will modernize the lighting and make it easier to see. If the lighting issue doesn't scare you off, definitely check this museum out. It's a fascinating look at a very...

The front desk person somehow missed the fact that my sister-in-law was part of our party. She pulled our guide aside to discuss this and then made a big deal of having me come back over to pay for my sister-in-law (we'll call her A).

She kept repeating that she thought A had come in after us and didn't realize she was with us. Odd as A was interacting with her husband and daughter from the moment we walked in.

My sister-in-law is black, her daughter is mixed and the rest of the family is white. The moment was chaotic, as anything with a toddler present is, but I'll just say the vibes with this person in general were off. While the other staff member present was lovely, I would not return again unless staff were trained in recognizing and challenging...