10/01/2026
A fun event with one of our members.
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!
