The Aurora Historical Society will have many events during the Summer months at the Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place, and at the Tanner House Museum, 304 Oak Avenue, corner of Oak and Cedar Streets.
Pierce Art and History Center:
• Wednesdays-Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m., through August 4:
“Ethnicity and Diversity in Aurora, 1834-Present” is a must-do for those who love Aurora history. It traces generations of people and the work they did to build up the second-largest city in Illinois. The exhibit follows our heritage and communities of Native Americans, English, Irish, Germans, French-Canadians, Luxemburgers, African Americans, Eastern European Jews, Romanians, Italians, Greeks, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Indians, and those from South Asia and Africa.
“Aurora Story” is our ever-changing exhibit showcasing the material culture of Aurora from native habitation to modern times. A spinning wheel evokes the self-sufficiency of pioneer times, a surgeon’s field kit from the Civil War reminds us of the suffering and loss of war, and a candy vending machine from a movie theater is proof of the sweet life that earlier Aurorans never could have imagined. On the second floor of the Pierce Center, same hours as above. Ongoing.
Admission is free of charge, but donations are appreciated.
• “First Fridays” we will be open late hours June 1, August 3, September 7, October 5, November 2, and December 7. Exhibits and gift shop will be open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• During the Downtown Aurora Magic Festival, Saturday, June 9, we will be open from noon to 4 p.m..
• Pride Parade, Sunday, June 17, we will be open from noon to 3 p.m.. The parade will step off at 1 p.m..
• During Museums After Dark June 21 there will be two evenings of late hours with special programming from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 21, children’s songwriting activity with will be with Bradley Green.
• September 20, write-a-spooky-story activity.
Tanner House Museum:
• The Tanner House Museum will be open for tours any Wednesday or Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., or 3 p.m. June 3 through September 26.
William and Anna Tanner were among Aurora’s earliest settlers, and their fashionable home, built in 1857, is one of the greatest gems of Aurora.
• The Fourth of July Family Picnic and Ringing of the Bells will be Wednesday, July 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.. There will be a petting zoo, tours of the house, old-fashioned games, pie-eating contest, live music, entertainment for the younger set, and hot dogs and ice cream for a minimal charge.
At precisely 1 p.m. children will pull on the ropes of the historic bells to join with thousands of other bells across the Nation in proclaiming freedom and honor throughout the land. It is a more-than 50 year tradition for the Aurora Historical Society.
—Aurora Historical Society
