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
Put this on your calendars! So many of our plaqued historic B&Bs/inns are participating!
It's always fun to see the beautiful Christmas decorations and indulge in Christmas treats along the way!Looking for a fun holiday event in Galena? Introducing Deck the Inns: A Holiday Tour of Galena’s Bed & Breakfasts
Tour beautifully decorated inns, sample holiday treats, meet the innkeepers, and discover the magic of Christmas in Galena. December 19th, 2026, 1 p.m.- 3 p.m. Tickets are $10, available in advance, at the door, or at participating inns. Participating Inns: Avery House, Cloran Mansion, Hawk Valley Retreat & Cottages, High Street Inn, Jail Hill Inn, The Painted Cat of Galena, Steamboat House.
Tickets are available at www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/deck-the-inns-a-galena-holiday-tour
The countdown is on! Galena’s Living History Alliance invites you to A Stroll Through Time on Saturday, October 17th.
Today, we are showcasing the first home on our walk: the beautiful John T. Dawson House at 510 Park Avenue, built in 1901.
John Dawson was a successful wholesale grocer and traveling salesman who knew his way around both business and a good story. During his portrayal, you will hear about his life in Galena, his beloved family…and the remarkable reason why running late, may have saved his life!
We extend a very special thank-you to Lucas Alger, who will bring John T. Dawson and his fascinating story to life.
Tours will leave from the ticket station at Park Avenue and Jackson Street approximately every 10 minutes between 10:00 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. Tickets are available for a $10 donation, and those under 18 may attend free.
Join us as the residents of ten historic Galena homes step out of the past to tell their stories in front of their homes. You will not want to miss this!
Another piece of Galena’s remarkable story has been remembered.
We are so grateful to Chris and Jayne for applying to commemorate Frederick Ernest Bergmann, the original owner of their beautiful home at 116 S. Bench Street with a historic plaque on their home.
A native of Germany, Frederick was one of Galena’s early pioneers. He first arrived here from New Orleans in 1831, returned to New Orleans the following year, and then made his way back to Galena during our bustling lead-mining era.
In 1843, Frederick married Margaret Ann Hines, from Pennsylvania. Together, they built their family home on Bench Street c. 1847 and raised five sons: Henry, Charles, Marshall, George, and Benjamin, who later made his home in Chicago.
Frederick was a skilled cabinetmaker and furniture dealer whose business was located at 150 Main Street. At a time when furniture was carefully crafted by hand, his work would have been an important part of everyday life in a growing Galena… furnishing homes for the families who were shaping our young community.
After spending much of his life in Galena, Frederick moved to Wichita, Kansas, in 1877 and later to Kansas City. He died there in 1887 at the age of 85.
Margaret lived another 15 years. After being an invalid for some time, she passed away at the Chicago home of her son Ben on March 3, 1902, at the age of 89. She was brought home to Galena and laid to rest beside Frederick in Greenwood Cemetery.
Their story remains firmly connected to Galena…to Frederick’s business on Main Street, the family he and Margaret raised, and the beautiful brick home they built on Bench Street nearly 180 years ago.
Thank you, Chris and Jayne, for helping us honor Frederick and Margaret and preserve the story of the home they created. Because of homeowners like you, the people who built Galena are not forgotten.
Galena's Living History Alliance and 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 will meet the men and women who helped shape Galena's story. Standing in front of ten of the homes they built and lived in, local performers will bring these early residents 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 on the sidewalk in front of their homes.
Tours will begin at the Grant Park pavilion (Park Avenue and Jackson Street) at 10:00 a.m., and continue throughout the day until 4:00 p.m. . Admission: $10 donation, with children under 18 admitted free. 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 will join us on October 17th, and take A STROLL THROUGH TIME.
We’re on YouTube
See our latest YouTube videos here for insights into Galena’s history and more from our historians.
