By Ricky Rieckert
Dear readers,
This week we’re taking a cruise in the Tour Bus to E. Downer Place (aka Fox Street), to the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Memorial Hall in Aurora.
As an historic octagonal limestone building that served as a tribute to Union soldiers after the Civil War and a place for them to gather, the GAR was built in 1878 by Aurora’s GAR Post 20. Funds were donated by residents and land was donated by Joseph Stolp.
It served as a meeting hall for Post 20 of the GAR and housed Aurora’s first public library.
Today, it’s a museum showcasing artifacts and exhibits related to the Civil War and other conflicts.
Here’s additional information about the building’s history:
After the last Civil War veteran in Aurora died in 1947, the building was transferred to the Grand Army of the Republic Association and operated as a museum.
The building underwent significant restoration, including stabilization and the restoration of the main floor and exhibit hall.
It reopened to the public in 2016, and now serves as an historical site and museum, with exhibits covering the Civil War and other conflicts.
The Museum is at 23 East Downer Place, and is open Wednesday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m..
For more details on the Museum’s history and exhibits, please visit www.aurora.il.us/GAR..
If you haven’t seen the GAR Memorial Hall, I suggest going to see it.