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 plaque we install has a story to tell… but before it ever finds its place on a home, it begins with days of careful, hands-on work.
This video is sped up, but each batch of plaques actually takes about three full days to complete. From preparation and painting to the final silver lettering, every plaque is finished by hand with patience, pride, and a love for Galena's history.
If you enjoy this behind-the-scenes look, we'd be so grateful if you would share it. Every share helps more people discover our volunteer organization and the work we're doing to preserve Galena's history.
Thank you for being part of the journey.
If you've been thinking about purchasing a Galena Living History Alliance plaque for your home or business, we'd love to encourage you to do so before August 31.
As many of you know, GLHA is a volunteer-run, nonprofit organization. Like everyone else, we've seen costs continue to rise. In order to keep this program going for years to come, we will be making a modest price adjustment beginning September 1.
The price of a plaque will increase from $135 to $150, and a plaque with a post will increase from $175 to $200.
If a plaque has been on your mind, now is the perfect time to apply at our current pricing. Every purchase helps us continue researching Galena's remarkable past, preserving its stories, and sharing them with future generations.
Thank you, as always, for believing in what we do and for helping us keep Galena's history alive… one plaque at a time.
Apply online at galenalivinghistory.org/application
Some people simply love history. Others devote countless hours to making sure it is never forgotten.
Today we're celebrating one of those people.
Happy Birthday to our dear friend, Craig Albaugh, one of the 2 founding historian board members of the Galena Living History Alliance. From the very beginning, Craig has been an essential part of our Historic Plaque Program. Truthfully, there would be no plaque program without the dedication of historians like him.
If you've ever wondered what goes into uncovering the story of a Galena home, just know it often includes long phone calls, countless conversations, courthouse visits, research that stretches for hours into weeks, and one meeting after another. Through it all, Craig has generously shared his time, his knowledge, and his unwavering love for Galena's remarkable history.
His passion has helped preserve the stories of so many who came before us, ensuring they will continue to be remembered for generations to come.
Please join us in wishing Craig a very happy birthday! We hope your day is as special as the gift you've given to our city through your dedication and love of Galena's history.
Happy Birthday, Craig!
We’re on YouTube
See our latest YouTube videos here for insights into Galena’s history and more from our historians.
