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
Today is the day! The costumes are on, and Galena’s earliest residents have a few stories to tell!
Join us for A Stroll Through Time on this sunny, beautiful fall day. Meet the characters behind ten historic homes along Park Avenue, enjoy their stories, and share a few laughs.
This day means so much to us. Your support helps Galena’s Living History Alliance research, cast, and install historic plaques, preserving stories that might otherwise be forgotten.
Today, October 17 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Begin at the Grant Park pavilion at Park Avenue and Jackson Street. The cost of admission is a $10 donation; children under 18 are free. Guided groups leave about every 10 minutes. The sidewalk walk takes approximately one hour.
Come spend an hour in the past. You’ll be helping us carry it into the future.
Apparently, “Look excited! The stroll is tomorrow!” meant something different in the 1800s.
Don’t let these faces fool you…we’re MUCH more excited for tomorrow’s first annual "A Stroll Through Time"!
Ten historic homes. Costumed storytellers, and tales from Park Avenue’s past that deserve more than a straight face.
Join Galena’s Living History Alliance tomorrow, Saturday, October 17th, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Start at the Grant Park pavilion at Park Avenue and Jackson Street to get your tickets and join a guided group. Groups leave approximately every 10 minutes for an hour-long stroll, with outdoor portrayals along the sidewalks in front of the homes.
The cost of admission is a $10 donation. Children under 18 are free. Your support helps us preserve Galena’s stories and continue casting and installing historic plaques throughout town.
We’re expecting a beautiful, sunny fall day! Bring a layer for the cool morning, comfortable shoes, and the whole family.
Smiling is permitted. We checked.
Someday, none of us will be here to tell our stories. Thank you, Bella Rosa, for your generous donation to help ensure that Galena’s homes…and the people who first called them home, are never forgotten. You’re helping us leave more than buildings behind. You’re helping us leave their voices.A little history, a little shopping, and the perfect fall outfit!
Tomorrow is looking like a beautiful, sunny fall day in Galena, with temperatures around 60 degrees. And we just happen to have the perfect thing to wear!
This gorgeous, buttery soft shawl drapes beautifully, adds just the right amount of warmth, and is only $99!
If you’re coming to Galena for Saturday’s A Stroll Through Time, make a day of it! Enjoy a walk through Galena’s fascinating past, then pop into Bella Rosa and treat yourself to a little something for the present!
Learn more about the history stroll here:
www.galenalivinghistory.org/glha-hosting-living-history-walk-duplicate-1/
And remember, we always ship for FREE! Can’t make it to town? Just call us at 815-402-2094. But if you’re here for the stroll, stop in and grab this beauty while you can!
Tomorrow’s gossip is about 175 years overdue.
And we’ve arranged for the original sources to tell it themselves!
A Stroll Through Time is TOMORROW! Meet the characters behind 10 historic Park Avenue homes as costumed performers share their stories. A little history, a little drama…and no studying required.
Saturday, October 17th • 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Start at Grant Park pavilion, Park Avenue & Jackson Street, Galena.
The cost of admission is $10. Children under 18 are free. Guided groups leave approximately every 10 minutes; allow about an hour. All portrayals take place outdoors along the sidewalks in front of the homes.
Presented by Galena's Living History Alliance and Galena Center for the Arts. Proceeds help preserve Galena’s history and continue casting and installing historic plaques throughout town.
Bring your curiosity and love of history. We’ll supply the people who remember when the street was dirt.
We’re on YouTube
See our latest YouTube videos here for insights into Galena’s history and more from our historians.
