The City of Aurora’s Grand Army of the Republic Military Museum, 23 E Downer Pl., Aurora, in partnership with the Aurora Historical Society, will host an event to unseal a 100-plus-year-old time capsule Saturday, Aug. 22 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m..
The Masonic Temple Time Capsule was found just before the emergency demolition of the historic Lincoln Masonic Temple, which took place in 2019 following a massive three-alarm fire. The structure was erected between 1921 and 1924 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The building later operated as a banquet hall before becoming vacant in 2006. The time capsule is estimated to be from 1921 through 1924, because the building’s cornerstone was laid in 1921.
The event, which will take place at the G.A.R. Military Museum, will showcase the unsealing of the time capsule, along with the opportunity for attendees to view the items located inside it. Executive director of the Aurora Historical Society, John Jaros, will be on hand to provide a detailed history of Masonic societies in Aurora, the Lincoln Masonic Temple, and some insights into each item found inside the capsule.
Snacks and refreshments will be served to attendees. Admission to the event is free, but online registration is encouraged. Tickets can be reserved at www.aurora.il.us/TimeCapsule.
—City of Aurora government