Galesburg Artist Creates Coloring Book Celebrating Local Landmarks

Derek Peters, a graphic designer who moved to Galesburg from California, is publishing an interactive coloring book featuring hand-sketched illustrations of Victorian homes and other historic sites.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A local artist who moved to Galesburg, Illinois from California three years ago is creating a coloring book to celebrate the city's architectural heritage and historic landmarks. Derek Peters, a graphic designer, discovered Galesburg while searching for affordable Victorian homes and fell in love with the concentration of historic homes, churches, and civic buildings throughout the city. He is now publishing "Explore Galesburg: A Coloring Journey," an interactive coloring book featuring hand-sketched, vectorized illustrations of local landmarks including Victorian homes, the Purrington Mansion, Knox College, the courthouse, local businesses, and more.

Why it matters

The coloring book project is designed to help people slow down and truly see their city, encouraging readers to visit the actual sites and notice details they may have overlooked. Peters, who has published five previous coloring books, believes the project can foster community pride and provide a therapeutic experience for all ages, from children learning about local history to older residents reconnecting with nostalgia.

The details

Each page of the coloring book includes hidden "Easter eggs" referencing local history, such as Abraham Lincoln entering Knox College through a window during the Lincoln-Douglas debates, as well as educational "fast facts" providing historical context. The book also includes a QR code linking to a curated soundtrack designed to be played while coloring. Peters is seeking local business sponsors to fund printing, with the book scheduled for publication in June. Sponsorship opportunities include full-page coloring advertisements or traditional ads in the back of the book.

  • Derek Peters discovered Galesburg and its historic homes about three years ago.
  • The coloring book "Explore Galesburg: A Coloring Journey" is scheduled for publication in June 2026.

The players

Derek Peters

A graphic designer originally from Orange County, California who moved to Galesburg three years ago and is creating a coloring book to celebrate the city's architectural heritage and historic landmarks.

Galesburg

A city in Illinois known for its concentration of historic Victorian homes, churches, and civic buildings that inspired Derek Peters to create the "Explore Galesburg" coloring book.

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What they’re saying

“When I first got out here, I just started riding around Broad Street and just was blown away by all the homes and such a high concentration of Victorian homes. Back in LA, I remember there's a couple streets that had them, but they were like few and far between, but here they're just like everywhere you look.”

— Derek Peters, Artist (Galesburg's Morning News)

What’s next

The coloring book "Explore Galesburg: A Coloring Journey" is scheduled for publication in June 2026. Peters is seeking local business sponsors to fund printing, with sponsorship opportunities including full-page coloring advertisements or traditional ads in the back of the book.

The takeaway

This coloring book project highlights how an outsider's perspective can help residents rediscover the unique architectural and historical assets of their own community. By creating an interactive and engaging way for people to explore Galesburg's landmarks, Peters aims to foster community pride and encourage residents to slow down and truly appreciate the details of their city.