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
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
What if the people who built Galena could step off the pages of history and tell their own stories?
On October 17, they will.
The Galena Living History Alliance and the Galena Center for the Arts invite you to join us for the first-ever Galena Living History Walk: A Stroll Through Time.
As you stroll along historic Park Avenue, you'll meet the men and women who helped shape Galena's story. Standing in front of the homes they built and lived in, local performers will bring these early residents back to life through short first-person portrayals based on months of historical research.
You'll meet merchants, immigrants, craftsmen, business owners, mothers, fathers, dreamers, and pioneers. Some arrived with little more than hope and determination. Others built businesses, raised families, and left a lasting mark on our community. Together, their stories helped create the Galena we know and love today.
This isn't a house tour. It's a chance to walk through history and meet the people who lived it.
Tours will begin at the Grant Park Pavilion at 10:00 a.m., and continue throughout the day. Tickets are a $10 donation, with children under 18 admitted free. All proceeds support the ongoing work of the Galena Living History Alliance as we continue researching, documenting, creating historic house plaques, and preserving the stories of Galena's historic homes and buildings.
History isn't just found in books. It lives in our streets, our homes, and the stories left behind by those who came before us.
We hope you'll join us on October 17 and take a stroll through time.
Yesterday, we were proud to install a historic plaque at 310 South Main Street, commemorating Alexander C. Davis, who built this building c.1846.
Born in Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1817, Alexander arrived in Galena in 1835 as a 19-year-old young man looking for opportunity. He began as a clerk before eventually going into business for himself.
His future wife, Helen Marie Little, came to Galena with her family when she was just 12 years old. Her father, Matthias Little, was one of Galena's early merchants. In 1841, when "Alex" was 24, and Helen just 14, they were married at Grace Episcopal church, in Galena.
Together, Alexander and Helen built a remarkable life. They raised 14 children while Alexander worked in mining, operated a smelting furnace east of town, owned a Main Street business, invested in land, and helped organize what would become the Galena and Southern Wisconsin Railroad.
Alexander died in 1866 at only 48 years old. One account tells of a rich lead deposit being discovered on his property after his death.
What impressed us most, however, was Helen's story. After Alexander's death, she was left to carry on and raise their large family. A family history written years later praised her intelligence, strength, and devotion to her children. Considering that she was raising 14 children in the 1800s, we'd say she earned every bit of that praise!
We are especially grateful to Steve and Diana Andresen for helping preserve this piece of Galena history. Many of you know Diana as the owner of Bella Rosa Boutique, which now occupies this historic building.
Because of property owners like Steve and Diana, Galena's stories continue to be remembered and shared with future generations. The next time you're strolling down Main Street, take a moment to see the plaque at 310 South Main Street and remember one of the entrepreneurs who helped build early Galena.
Another piece of Galena history has been preserved!
This morning, we installed a plaque at 119 – 121 S. Main Street honoring Frederick E. Bergmann, one of Galena's early furniture dealers and cabinet makers.
Born in Bremen, Germany, in 1804, Frederick made his way to America and arrived in Galena from New Orleans in 1831, when Galena was still in its infancy. He would spend the next several decades helping furnish the city around him.
In 1843, Frederick married Margaret Ann Hines. Margaret was born in Pennsylvania and was nineteen years his junior. Together they raised six children and established deep roots in Galena. As owner of the F. E. Bergmann Company, Frederick crafted and sold furniture during an era when nearly every piece was built by hand by skilled artisans. His work helped furnish the homes and businesses of a growing Galena.
At the age of 73, Frederick moved to Kansas to be near family. When he passed away, his body was returned to Galena, where funeral services were held at his former home at 116 Bench Street, before he was laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery. Even after leaving Galena, his connection to the city remained strong.
We are especially grateful to Steve and Diana Andresen for applying to have Frederick memorialized on their building and helping preserve the history of Main Street. Last year, we were also proud to install a plaque on their neighboring building, home to Beyond the Horizon.
The next time you're downtown, be sure to stop in and thank Steve and Diana for their continued support of local history, and for restoring these beautiful buildings. Their commitment helps ensure that the stories of Galena's early residents and business owners are not forgotten.
Every plaque tells a story, and Frederick E. Bergmann's story is a wonderful reminder of the immigrants, craftsmen, entrepreneurs, and families who helped build the Galena we know and love today.
We’re on YouTube
See our latest YouTube videos here for insights into Galena’s history and more from our historians.
