Holiday activities scheduled at Galena state historic sites

GALENA — The state historic sites in Galena administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency have scheduled several activities for the upcoming holiday season.

The Old Market House at 123 Commerce St. in downtown Galena will be the site of Santa’s House. The annual “Santa Walking Down Main Street Parade” will begin at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 27 and Santa’s House will open immediately after Santa arrives at the Old Market House. Santa will give special gift bags to children until 8 p.m. Santa will also greet children from 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 28, and Dec. 5, 12 and 19.

Lamplight tours of the Ulysses S. Grant Home State Historic Site at 500 Bouthillier St. will be offered from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 27-29 and Dec. 5, 6, 12 and 13. The home’s oil lamps will be lit and 1870s Victorian Christmas decorations will grace the home of the President and Civil War General.

The Old Market House was built in 1846 as the hub of Galena’s commercial center. It is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Ulysses S. Grant Home, built in 1860, was given to Galena’s most prominent citizen in 1865. The home is completely restored and decorated with original furnishings from the Grant family. It is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.