Galena’s Living History Alliance
Galena’s Living History Alliance is a local non-profit organization focusing on the history of Galena honoring it by researching the history of our participating homes, placing plaques identifying the date of construction, name and occupation of the original owner and telling the stories of the first owners.
Showcasing Galena’s historic homes
Architectural style
Over 200 homes in the GLHA plaque program showcase many exquisite architectural styles. From Italianate to Gothic Revival, Victorian, Federal and more these homes offer a glimpse into the past that cannot be experienced anywhere else.
Notable residents
Discover the many influential figures who once called our plaqued homes their own. Miners, generals, farmers and shopkeepers all called Galena home and shaped it into what it has become today.
Living history
Experience the past come to life as you explore each home’s unique story and the role of its owners in Galena’s history. Today we honor and recognize those pioneers with the beautiful plaques on their homes.
Plaque Program
Historic House Plaque Program
The Galena Living History Alliance (GLHA) is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the architectural heritage of Galena and Jo Daviess County. Our primary initiative, the Historic House Plaque Program, increases public awareness and appreciation of the area’s historic homes and buildings.
Is my home eligible for a historic plaque?
Any home built before 1930 is eligible for inclusion in the program. Over 200 buildings are currently in the GLHA plaque program. They range from log cabins, commercial buildings, stunning Italinates, and cozy miners’ cottages to stately Victorians.
A few examples of the architectural styles in the GLHA program.
William Reinwald House, 1847, Log cabin home
Charles Lowes House, c.1852, Miner’s cottage
RIchard seal house, 1871, Italianate
August J. Millhouse House, 1899, Victorian
Latest news from our blog
The Living History Walk is nearly here!
The Galena Living History Alliance and the Galena Center for[…]
See our latest Facebook posts.
We update our Facebook page regularly with information about our homes, businesses and churches participating in the GLHA historic plaque program. Scroll down on the posts to see the latest posts.
Galena's Living History Alliance
A window into Galena's historic truth
Looking for a little murder and mayhem? Galena Center for the Arts' production of "Murder Girl" promises an entertaining evening filled with mystery, laughter, and a little family dysfunction! Who doesn't love a good whodunit?
Please join us in supporting them, as they do us! The Galena Center for the Arts was such an enormous help during our first Stroll Through Time, generously sharing their time, talents, and resources. We're so grateful for their friendship, and now it's our turn to show them a little love!
Performances are November 5–7 and 12–14 at 7:00 p.m., with matinees November 8 and 15 at 2:00 p.m.
Gather your friends, enjoy a great show, and support an organization that brings so much to our little town!
Get your tickets here:
What would we ever do without our very own Amy Laskye?
Amy, the talented owner of Amy May Photography, has generously shared her time and talents with us from the very beginning, and our Stroll Through Time was no exception!
While the rest of us were busy trying to keep everything running smoothly, Amy was everywhere! Photographing the day, making sure our performers were properly mic’d, and videotaping their wonderful performances so we could preserve and share them with all of you.
And that was just the day of the event! Behind the scenes, Amy designed all of our directional posters and rack cards, made every one of our little ticket flags, and took care of more details than we could possibly begin to list.
And did we mention we have a YouTube channel? Yes, we do! Look for Galena’s Living History Alliance on YouTube and enjoy a little trip back in time!
Amy, we are so lucky to have you, and even luckier that you keep saying yes when we come up with another idea! Thank you for everything you do…we love you!
We’re on YouTube
See our latest YouTube videos here for insights into Galena’s history and more from our historians.
