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
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.
Our sixth stop on A Stroll Through Time brings us to the beautiful William Ridd House at 200 Park Avenue, built in 1892 and now known as The Painted Cat of Galena Bed & Breakfast.
When young William Ridd left England for America, he could never have imagined what fate had in store for him. His journey would eventually bring him to Galena, where he would find love, build a successful career, and construct this beautiful home for himself and his wife, Louisa.
But behind this lovely home lies a story of unexpected turns, family tragedy, and a young man's determination to make a new life in a strange land. What happened along the way? We'll let William tell you himself!
And who better to bring William's story to life than Cory Robinson, the current homeowner and innkeeper of The Painted Cat Bed & Breakfast! A special thank you to Cory for stepping back in time to portray the gentleman who once called his beautiful home his own.
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!
The fifth stop on "A Stroll Through Time" will bring us to the John Hannan House at 304 Park Avenue, built in 1848.
Here we will meet John’s wife, Annette, a young woman whose story began with love, hope and dreams of a bright future. But life can change quickly, and Annette’s journey would take her far beyond this little brick home.
Some stories are quietly tucked away by time, simply waiting to be told.
Annette will be lovingly portrayed by Michele Sullivan.
Join us Saturday, October 17th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to hear her tender and unforgettable story.
Tickets may be purchased at Park Avenue and Jackson Street on the day of the event for a $10 donation. Those under 18 are free.
The fourth stop on A Stroll Through Time will bring us to the John M. Farmer House at 402 Park Avenue, built circa 1849.
John Farmer was a hardworking grocer and businessman…but on this day, we will hear from the woman who knew this home best: his sister, Miss Annie Farmer.
What might Annie remember about her brother, their family and life within these walls? You’ll have to join us to hear the stories only a sister could tell.
Annie will be lovingly portrayed by the home’s current owner, Janet Bussan. We cannot imagine anyone more fitting to welcome Annie’s story home again.
Join us Saturday, October 17th, for "A Stroll Through Time". We look forward to sharing this very special stop with you!
We’re on YouTube
See our latest YouTube videos here for insights into Galena’s history and more from our historians.
