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
Two men, two very different lives, and one beautiful home. But behind their names are stories of love, heartbreak, ambition, and a few things the newspapers never told!
Our eighth stop on A Stroll Through Time brings us to the Telford-Karmann House at 305 Park Avenue, where we'll meet two gentlemen whose lives left their mark on Galena.
Our story begins with Adam Telford, a Scottish-born carpenter who arrived in Galena in the early 1840s. With skilled hands and dreams of a better life, Adam built this lovely home around 1856. But behind his success was a family story touched by a heartbreaking loss, one that would forever tie him to Galena, even after he moved away.
Then came George Karmann, a successful merchant with an eye for the finer things. In 1863, he made a substantial addition to the FRONT of the house, forever changing its appearance. His contribution was so significant that both gentlemen are honored on its historic plaque.
But here's where George's story takes an interesting turn. Despite his success in Galena, his life eventually took him far from Park Avenue, and when he died, his passing went entirely unmentioned in the newspapers. How does a prominent businessman simply disappear from the pages of history?
You'll have to come hear what these two gentlemen have to say!
We're delighted that Galena's own Jay Dickerson will portray Adam Telford, while fellow Galena resident Larry Lapp will bring George Karmann to life. A special thank you to both for helping us give these gentlemen a voice once again!
Join Galena's Living History Alliance for A Stroll Through Time on Saturday, October 17th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Groups will depart approximately every 10 minutes from the pavilion at Grant Park, located at Park Avenue and Jackson Street. Along the way, you'll meet some of Galena's former residents as their stories come to life on the sidewalks in front of ten historic homes.
Admission is a $10 donation, and children under 18 are free. Tickets will be available at the pavilion on the day of the event.
Some stories deserve to be told, even if it takes more than a century for someone to tell them!
Less than two weeks remain until “A Stroll Through Time.” Please come walk with us. Every ticket helps us continue this work we love.
Behind every historic plaque in Galena is a life once lived here…and many hours of volunteer work dedicated to preserving that story. From researching the people who called these buildings home to painting each plaque, carefully finishing its lettering, and installing it, every step is completed with care.
We’re still a young organization, and we rely on donations to continue this work. Your $10 ticket donation helps us place more plaques and bring more of Galena’s history to life, one home and one story at a time.
On October 17th, come hear these stories told on the sidewalks in front of the homes where they unfolded. We hope you’ll leave feeling a little closer to the town we all love.
"A Stroll Through Time" : October 17th, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Tickets available at Park Avenue and Jackson Street. Admission is free for guests under 18.
Our seventh stop on A Stroll Through Time takes us just across the street to the beautiful Frederick E. Lenhart House at 203 Park Avenue, built in 1872.
When Sarah Lenhart and her husband, Frederick, left Pennsylvania to begin a new life in Galena, they had dreams of building a future together. Frederick was a railroad engineer, and their beautiful new home on Park Avenue seemed the perfect place to put down roots.
But what was life really like for a young woman whose husband's work took him away from home? What hopes, worries, and unexpected turns awaited Sarah as she settled into life in our bustling river town?
And there's another story hidden in the walls of this lovely old house. The man who built it left his mark on more than one home along Park Avenue. In fact, you'll be hearing his name again before our stroll is through!
This time, we'll hear the story through Sarah's eyes. And as we all know, a wife often remembers a few details her husband might have left out!
Join Galena's Living History Alliance for A Stroll Through Time on Saturday, October 17th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Groups will depart approximately every 10 minutes from the pavilion at Grant Park, located at Park Avenue and Jackson Street. Along the way, you'll meet some of Galena's former residents as their stories come to life on the sidewalks in front of ten historic homes.
Admission is a $10 donation, and children under 18 are free. Tickets will be available at the pavilion on the day of the event.
Come discover the stories these beautiful old homes have been keeping all these years!
Every once in a while, someone comes along who makes you wonder how you ever managed without them!
Today, we'd like to introduce one of Galena's Living History Alliance's newest members and one of our lifesavers, Mike Fertig!
Mike is one of the Historical Librarians at the Galena Public Library, and we couldn't have asked for someone with a more interesting background!
Originally from the Chicago area, Mike graduated from Coe College with a degree in English and went on to become a children's book editor, working with familiar names like Sesame Street, Disney, Warner Bros., and Mattel. He's also a published author and spent years working as a freelance writer and editor before life eventually brought him to Galena.
Now, here's why we're so grateful to have him!
What many people don't realize is just how much work goes into researching the history of ONE Galena home. Our binders aren't simply a collection of names and dates. They're the stories of real people, pieced together through old newspapers, census records, deeds, obituaries, photographs, family histories, and sometimes the tiniest little clue that sends our researchers down an entirely new path.
Some binders can take MONTHS to complete!
Until recently, we've had just two dedicated researchers, Eva Ott-Kromphardt and Mike Jones, working practically nonstop to keep up with our growing list of plaqued homes. These two have devoted countless hours to uncovering Galena's history, and as our plaque program has grown, so has the mountain of research waiting to be done.
Thankfully, help has arrived! Along with Mike Fertig, we've also welcomed another wonderful volunteer, Viccy Kemp, whom we're looking forward to introducing to you in the coming days. Having these two join our research team is such a gift, and we couldn't be more grateful!
With his writing experience, love of history, and remarkable research skills, Mike brings so much to our little organization. We're especially grateful that he's willing to devote some of his personal time to helping us uncover the stories of Galena's earliest residents.
Mike, we can't begin to tell you how grateful we are that you've joined us. You're giving our hardworking research team some much-needed help and allowing us to share even more of Galena's remarkable history with the families who now call these old houses home.
Thank you for sharing your time, your talents, and your enthusiasm with us. We're so very lucky to have you!
Every historic home has a story worth telling, and thanks to the dedication of Eva Ott-Kromphardt, Mike Jones, Mike Fertig, and Viccy Kemp, we can continue bringing Galena's remarkable past to life, one family at a time.
We’re on YouTube
See our latest YouTube videos here for insights into Galena’s history and more from our historians.
