old market house state historic site

This little museum is chock full of miscellaneous information about U. S. Grant, the town of Galena, and the Civil War. The building is authentic, and one of the oldest standing in the state with a very interesting history.

Stopped in to get maps and information about the area. Very helpful and they gave us discount tickets and some suggestions about where to eat.

A lot of interesting history concerning Galena and the whole Grant family, really enjoyed looking at the displays. The person at the desk was also very helpful to us and we appreciated that.

You should make this your first stop in Galena as there is a wealth of information about the area available to you. Plenty of brochures and pamphlets about all there is to do and see in and around a Galena. There is also displays of historic artifacts and there are people there to answer any questions that you have.

Lots of historical artifacts, ladies working the desk were very helpful and nice. Stop here first and ask about the coupons.

The Old Market House Welcome Center at 123 North Commerce Street is an excellent place to start your visit to historic Galena, Illinois, especially is you are a first-timer. Of course, there is the other tourist information enter located at the Old Railroad Depot at 101 Bouthillier Street. Either way, you get all you need to know to enjoy your visit. We stopped at both. In addition to information regarding travel, parking, entertainment, antiquing, shopping, dining and lodging, the Old Market House also includes an extensive museum dedicated to U.S. Grant and the history of the town. There is an original carriage that Grant used, plus information on other famous people who lived in Galena during the Grant era. This is a town of only 3,500 people that thrives on its history and takes the tourist industry very seriously. How about free parking on Main Street, the hub of virtually everything that happens in the town? If you only have a day and you need a guide to be sure you don't miss anything, they'll arrange one for you. Anything specific you're looking for? They'll do their best to find it for you. And prices are reasonable, if not downright cheap. No tourist gouging here. And there are plenty of public restrooms adjacent to the Market House.

A very good starting point for learning about President Grant, his life prior to the civil war and his presidency and family life. Also you can get information about the surrounding area attractions and eateries.

I happen to suffer Celiac Sprue. The Market House is Family owned & Operated. They are marvelous, friendly & will make me food off the menu to accommodate my illness. Also, if you are traveling Spring/Fall, check out the Garden Room.

Galena was decorated and ready to celebrate Christmas. Known for the President Grant's home and some unique history, it was not a surprise to see the town all ready for Christmas and to hear that U.S. Grant declared Christmas a legal holiday.The Old Market House is a tourist information center, gift shop and on our visit Santa was there,It is a great place to visit any time of the year.

It was very nice and imformative. So much history in Galena that we did not know about. Love it. We would recomend to all who love history.

If you are in Galena, then it's worthwhile looking inside the Old Market House, as it has a display of memorabilia associated with President Grant. However it's not worth a special journey and when I visited about half the exhibition area was taken up with some paintings for sale.

Liked the numerous and multiple paintings, photos (both black and white, and colorized) of U.S. Grant in many poses, as well as his family, and colleagues, and contemporaries.

When I stopped in, the lady manning the place gave me a cold reception. Made me feel like I was intruding rather than welcome. Visitor's center on the east side of the river in the train depot had much more welcoming staff and tons of helpful suggestions for places to visit in Galena.

Contrasted to the Galena museum up the hill, this highly promoted site & exhibit were disappointing. Kind of a hodge podge, pushed together in the rooms. The "docent" spent our entire visit talking with another townsperson about the troubles of organizing support for whatever her project was.

PROS: the most common location people from Galena are going to point you towards if you need to use a public restroom. Numerous Grant memorabilia to the point that some of them may not be too significant (like painted stones); a carriage owned by the Grants; We went during the Art Fair and there quite a few tents set up around the building. CONS: small and fairly expensive gifts shop