Partners gather to dedicate Old Market House State Historic Site improvements

Courtesy of Galena Gazette

GALENA-The weather outside was cold and blustery, but there, among snow flurries, the Old Market House State Historic Site on Commerce Street stood proud. 

Thanks to a grassroots effort that involved a number of local groups and organizations coming together, the market house received a fresh coat of paint during the warmer months of the year. 

On Thursday, Nov. 13, it was time to celebrate the collaborative effort that spruced up and breathed a bit of new life into one of Galena's treasured pieces of history. 

Representatives from the state historic sites, Galena Foundation, VisitGalena.org, Women of Courage and Commitment, Galena State Bank/Joseph Miller Trust and Galena Elks Lodge gathered to recognize that with a bit of dedication and collaboration, great things can happen.

Back row, from left: David Wilmarth, Ken Robb, Galena Foundation; Chris Hamilton, VisitGalena.org; Terry Miller, Galena State Historic Sites; Mark Van Osdol, VisitGalena.org; Charles Marsden, Galena Foundation; Kim Keuter, Galena State Bank Joseph Miller Trust. Front row: Paul Jackson and Jamie Loso, Galena Foundation; Carmen Ferguson, Women of Courage and Committment; Marcia Polhamus, Galena Elks. Hillary Dickerson photo.

Earlier this year, recognizing how run down the market house looked, Women of Courage and Commitment pledged to help raise funds for the painting project. 

VisitGalena, which occupies the building for offices and the visitor information center, wrote a Galena Foundation grant in collaboration with Terry Miller, Galena Historic Sites manager. 

The grant was awarded and funds used from the Joseph Miller Trust. 

Bob Knupp Painters was awarded the bid for the project and crews meticulously rehabbed the exterior of the building. 

Members of the Galena Elks Lodge jumped on board to help with landscaping the property. More landscaping work is planned for the spring.