He Left California, Fell in Love with Galesburg—Now He's Making a Coloring Book

Описание: Derek Peters, a local artist and graphic designer originally from Orange County, California, joins Galesburg's Morning News to discuss his project "Explore Galesburg: A Coloring Journey."

Three years ago, Peters discovered Galesburg on oldhomesunder50k.com while searching for affordable Victorian homes. What he found was a city rich with architectural heritage, historic landmarks, and community character that inspired him to create an interactive coloring book celebrating the city's unique beauty.

Topics covered:
• Why Derek left California for Galesburg
• The concentration of Victorian homes and historic architecture
• What makes "Explore Galesburg" more than just a coloring book
• Hidden Easter eggs referencing Lincoln-Douglas debates and local history
• Educational "fast facts" and curated QR-code soundtrack
• How local businesses can sponsor and get long-term visibility
• Therapeutic value of coloring for all ages
• Timeline for June printing and future "then and now" editions

Featured landmarks in the book:
• Victorian homes on Broad and Prairie streets
• Purrington Mansion
• Knox College
• Courthouse
• East Main Street underpass
• Carl Sandburg birthplace
• Lincoln-Douglas debate site at Knox College

Pre-order the book or inquire about sponsorship:
Website: exploregalesburg.com
Email: Available on the website
Facebook: Search "Explore Galesburg"

Printing scheduled for June 2026. The book will be 8.5 x 11 inches, 32-40 pages, featuring hand-sketched and vectorized illustrations.

Listen to the full audio podcast: https://www.wgil.com/episode/derek-pe...

Read the full story: https://www.wgil.com/2026/02/19/derek...

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