Recently opened to the public after an extensive restoration, this Greek Revival home, located in northwestern Illinois in
Jo Daviess County and built in 1843 by Elihu B. Washburne, received major additions in 1859 and 1860. The entire first floor has been restored to tell the story of the man who did more to advance the cause of
Ulysses S. Grant than perhaps any other.
Washburne practiced law in Galena until elected to the U.S. Congress in 1852. He became a close associate of Abraham Lincoln and a strong supporter of Grant. After the war, it was in his library that Grant received word of his election to the presidency in 1868.
The site is owned and operated by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.