Dowling House (Galena, Illinois)

 museum, house, historic house

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220 Diagonal Street
Galena, IL 61036
Phone: (815) 777-1250
Web: www.belvederemansionandgardens.com/the-dowling-house/

Galena's oldest house, Dowling House, was built in 1826 by John Dowling. Built of limestone, it was once the only trading post in the city. The Dowling House was equipped with primitive living quarters and hosted many fur traders in years past. It is filled with primitive furniture, artifacts, antiques and some of Galena’s own pottery, made from 1841-1847 of local clay and lead. Tour guides provide a complete history of the development of the City of Galena and Dowling House while you browse through quaint artifacts from the early nineteenth century. 30-minute tours daily from 11am-4pm, price is $9 for adults, $4.50 for children. The gift shop (inside the ticket office) contains objects Dowling might have offered for sale in his store, such as oil lamps, candle molds, and other artifacts, all dating back 150 to 200 years. Noreen's Old Tyme Photo on site where you can dress up and be photographed in Victorian, and Civil War costumes. Or, you might rather pose in the bar, or jail scenes. The photos are free, with a sitting fee.


Be sure to ask about discount tickets when purchased in combination with Galena Trolley Tours and the Belvedere Mansion and Gardens.

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