The Vintage Aurora calendar for 2023, published by the Aurora Historical Society, is available online at www.aurorahistory.org or at the gift shop in the Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer, 60505. The calendar is $17.95 plus tax and members receive a 10% discount. Shipping applies to online orders.
The theme for 2023 is “Aurora From Above.” There are 12 photos ranging in date from 1875 to 1957, plus two bonus pictures. All are from the archives of the Historical Society.
“We learned a couple of years ago when we did a gallery exhibit of similar photos, that people are endlessly fascinated by being able to see their hometown from a high perspective,” said executive director John Jaros. “People would spend a long time just studying the details, and often would return on another day with a friend or family member to share whatever discoveries they had made.”
Jaros makes the point that only three of the pictures in the collection strictly can be called aerial photographs because the others were taken from high points rather than from airplanes. But that makes them all the more interesting, according to society trustee Virginia Potter.
“The perspective you get when looking at them is more like your usual perspective walking down the street, and you feel closer,” she said. “It’s wonderful.”
“Honestly, this ought to be a book,” said Society president Mary Clark Ormond. “These pictures, and others in our collection, are that good. We don’t normally publish our material, but this is really tempting.”
There are no plans to publish at this time, she said.
The Gift Shop is open Wednesday through Friday from Noon to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a. m. to 4 p.m. The online shop is always available; orders received by December 16 will be delivered by Christmas. Shoppers can find the calendars at Prisco’s Family Market, 1108 Prairie Street, at Ace Hardware on West Galena Boulevard, and at the Tanner House Museum where there will be a pop-up shop during the free Tanner House Holidays Fridays and Sundays this month. Please see the website, www.aurorahistory.org, for hours.
New members can join the Aurora Historical Society at half-price through December, and benefits will extend a full 12 months forward. See membership information on the website, or stop in the shop.
— Aurora Historical Society