Title: Old Blacksmith Shop in Galena Historic District | Expedia.co.uk [Old Blacksmith Shop Hotels](https://expedia.co.uk/Old-Blacksmith-Shop-Hotels.0-l553248635695666027-0.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels)[Old Blacksmith Shop Car Hire](https://expedia.co.uk/Compare-Cheap-Car-Hire-In-Old-Blacksmith-Shop.d553248635695666027.Car-Hire-Guide)[Galena Historic District Holidays](https://expedia.co.uk/Galena-Historic-District-Galena.d553248621532649469.Attraction) # Old Blacksmith Shop ![Old Blacksmith Shop](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635695666027/0b72207e-b78b-481d-b7ee-428d6191563c.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Old Blacksmith Shop featuring signage](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635695666027/6a80bbdd-39b4-4e29-b23b-ecad5f7acce2.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Old Blacksmith Shop which includes a small town or village](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635695666027/084565d0-0d0b-45a2-baa9-a39d61844f73.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ## Visit Old Blacksmith Shop Activities --- --- #### Live demonstrations provide a fascinating experience at this blacksmith shop, with anvils and fire pokers glowing red hot and bending to the might of the hammer. Visit the Old Blacksmith Shop to take a trip back in time to a bygone period of 19th-century forging and hammer work. A guided tour offers insight into the workings of this blacksmithing shop, which dates back to 1897\. Chat to the on-site historian about the changes and constants of the blacksmith industry. Arrive at the red barn marked by a sign which reads “Blacksmith Shop.” A pair of redbrick chimneys and a glass cupola rise from the roof. Go on a 30-minute group tour to learn about the roles of the various tools, some of which have been in use for generations. Watch a professional blacksmith at work, with sparks flying from the metal. The artist’s hammer helps to meld and bend the red-hot metal into recognizable instruments. Browse the range of items sculpted by the site’s blacksmiths in the gift shop. The items often have a Galena stamp on them. Bring your kids to the live demonstrations so they can experience the sights and sounds of an industry that came before them. The historian will tell you about the original owner of the shop, Louis C. Readel, who ran the place until his death in the early 1900s, a period when blacksmithing thrived. The site opens from May to October, Friday through Monday. Tours are held regularly throughout the day it’s recommended to reserve a place in advance. You don’t have to buy a ticket for entry, although there is a suggested donation. The Old Blacksmith Shop is on the northeastern side of Galena’s town center. It is just a short walk from the Galena River and Galena Grant Park. Explore the area on foot to discover other highlights such as Turner Hall, Market House State Historic and the Galena Historical Society. ### Popular places to visit ![Galena featuring a house and heritage elements](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621532649471/4490c805-3114-46e7-b09f-072327d966a0.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Dowling House Get an authentic look at the past inside this pretty and historic building, the oldest house in the town of Galena and now a captivating museum. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Dowling-House-Galena-Historic-District.d553248621532649471.Attraction) ![Old Market House showing heritage elements and a house](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6091361/fc9ad4c2-d3f0-445f-a190-4c7fe2cc6776.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Old Market House Make this historic market building your first stop in Galena. Part welcome center, part museum, it gives you a perfect introduction to the city. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Old-Market-House-Galena-Historic-District.d6091361.Attraction) ![Galena showing a park, heritage elements and military items](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621532649473/65e16cc3-7eb7-4a2b-8f5e-d24b30740533.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Grant Park Enjoy the sun in this small but beautiful park, which is scattered with colorful flowerbeds, historic monuments and shaded picnic areas. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Grant-Park-Galena.d553248621532649473.Attraction) ![Grant Home showing a house and heritage elements](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6091359/212a9e58-2ccd-4711-a6dc-ef27f4879f00.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Grant Home Retrace the daily life of Ulysses S. Grant in his Galena home, where he and his family lived between the Civil War and their move to the White House. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Grant-Home-Galena.d6091359.Attraction) ![Washburne House Historic Site showing a house and heritage elements](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6091363/d50b08da-8046-48f7-9f91-c62db2857b64.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Washburne House Historic Site Learn about the fascinating Elihu Washburne, who helped shaped American politics during and after the Civil War, at his stately brick home in Galena. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Washburne-House-Historic-Site-Galena.d6091363.Attraction) ![Galena featuring a house, heritage elements and heritage architecture](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635922901501/1a780dfd-1b47-42c9-bd2a-94ca267d6814.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Belvedere Mansion Most of this lavish mansion and its landscaped gardens are open for tours so you can appreciate its glorious Italianate design. 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