“Mrs. Butterworth” (First Lady Julia Grant) statue
Location: Galena, Illinois
When to visit: Any time during daylight hours
Cost: Free
Time needed to enjoy: 5-10 minutes
Website: www.granthome.com
In 1860, General Ulysses S. Grant moved to the town of Galena, Illinois, on the western side of the state, near Iowa. He left to participate in the Civil War and returned a hero.
Galena created a tribute to his wife Julia with a 9.5-foot tall statue, erected in 2006 outside the Grant Home, a historic museum. Unfortunately, many locals feel the statue looks more like Mrs. Butterworth, and have taken to referring to it as such. Some mock the fact that the statue didn’t try to beautify Julia’s less-than-attractive face.
But site superintendent Terry Miller, who had the idea for the statue, said those concerns are overblown and pointed out that very few women have been honored with statues. Which is a great point. So few women have their own statues… should we really be nitpicking about the statue’s appearance?
For fans of Ulysses, he has his own statue in Galena as well, just a couple blocks from Julia.
Haha that sure is a funny looking statue! Nice to see a statue that is a bit different!
It sure is different!
Fun finding the quirky!
Based on that statue, I would say Julia may have been a bit of a “butterface.”
And she’s hollow. Which is weird.
This is real cool!!..Mrs. Butterworth looks like she churned alot of butter in her days. I like the fact that it takes only 5-10 minutes to enjoy the statue…great blog and great information!
Thanks, it is an interesting attraction.
I think it would be nicer if the statues stood next to each other, rather than a few blocks apart…
True. I guess it’s a way to make sure visitors see all of Galena.
Hehe, Mrs. Butterworth is a bit funny looking, looks like she’s over utilized her left arm.
She has a great dress though!
She is real! My pancakes will never be the same!
haha 🙂