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The Belvedere Mansion and Gardens

...the Crown Jewel of Galena!

The Belvedere Mansion and Gardens, circa 1857, was built in Galena's opulent era of steamboat shipping and lead ore mining. J. Russell Jones, commissioned his Italianate mansion in the pre-dawn of the Civil War. It's 22 rooms are lavishly appointed. Today they are filled with fine period antiques. Now a private home, not a museum, put on tour by the generosity of it's current owners for more than a quarter of a century. The Belvedere is Galena's finest and grandest mansion! Among the many possessions you will find assorted treasures of the Rich and Famous, such as Liberace's Bou'lle and silver, President Roosevelt's library suite, the green drapes from the movie 'Gone with the Wind' and a set of unusual Belter chairs, with carvings of the Presidents' heads on their backs (believed to have once been owned by Confederate President Jefferson Davis) among many others.

Is the mansion haunted? ...Just by the seasonal visitors, that come every year to see her beauty! it's always at the top of the visitors "have to do" list: "I must revisit the Belvedere!"

Tours run from the middle of May to the middle of November each year. No reservations are required. Just ring the door bell! There is a slight wait on the grand Victorian wicker porch...completely air conditioned. Tours start about every 15 minutes.

Easy walking access from any downtown location! Just a stroll across the Galena River bridge.

Tours are scheduled EVERY DAY!

Tour Times: Sunday thru Friday - 11 am to 4 pm (last tour time is at 3:30 pm) Saturday - 11 am to 5 pm (last tour at 4:30pm). Length of the Mansion Tour is 1/2 hour.

Cost: Adults $12.00 Children $6.00 We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express at the door.

You can view the Belvedere gardens at your leisure.

Those wishing to tour both the Belvedere Mansion and the Dowling House can receive a special combination ticket of $17.00. Inquire at the door.

The Belvedere Mansion and Gardens,

1008 Park Avenue,

Galena, Illinois