U.S. Grant's Birthday Celebration
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.