Celebrating a Legacy of Pride is in exhibit dedicated to shining a light on the achievements of LGBTQIA+ individuals, businesses, and organizations who have had an impact on our county and beyond. All individuals on display were nominated by community members.

A man who dedicated himself to recording the history of Galena through poetry, Thomas McCarthy was born on Jackson Street on May 12, 1887 to Edward and Annie (McDermott) who were both children of Irish immigrants. He and his five brothers and sisters were raised on stories of Galena’s pioneering days of lead mines, riverboats, and Civil War generals.

Emma Grebner (1908-1990) was the first woman in Jo Daviess County and the State of Illinois to be duly elected sheriff. She is still the only woman to serve as sheriff in the county.

Born in 1922 as a third generation Galenian and grandson of formerly enslaved individuals, Beauford Clark Johnson served in the U.S. Navy for twenty-three years including time in the Pacific during World War II, the Korean War, and the beginning of the Vietnam War. He experienced the integration of the military as well as the passage of the Civil Rights Act.

Born on July 25, 1877 in rural Rush Township, Myrtle Renwick Heer spent her life serving the citizens of Galena and Jo Daviess County through her career in the public school districts and her leadership in community, religious, and civic organizations.

There are different accounts in regards to the birth of Galena’s remarkable citizen, Barney Norris.

There have been many wonderfully eccentric creatives in Galena through the years, one of them being the children’s author, poet, and lecturer Rowena Bastin Bennett.

Carl’s commitment to Galena and Historical Preservation manifested in many projects over the years

Charles Smith Hempstead was Galena’s first mayor

Ulysses S. Grant came to Galena in April of 1860 aboard the steamboat Itasca.  There was no fanfare when he arrived, although he quickly became a local celebrity…