In celebration of Black History Month, we present a glimpse of the early days of Aurora’s…
Category: Articles & Exhibits
Aurora’s worst January ever
By Mary Clark Ormond, President, Aurora Historical Society The next time an elderly person bends your…
Cutting Ice on the Fox River
By John Jaros, Executive Director; and Mary Clark Ormond, President, Aurora Historical Society This holiday season,…
November 2020 — This Month In History: East-West Thanksgiving Day Football
By John Jaros, Executive Director, Aurora Historical Society East Aurora and West Aurora High Schools began…
October 2020 — This Month In History: Kennedy’s Visit to Aurora — October 25, 1960
By John Jaros, Executive Director, Aurora Historical Society The 1960 presidential election pitted Republican Richard Nixon,…
Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15 to October 15
The first Hispanic wave to arrive in Aurora was made up of Mexican immigrants, who first…
August 2020: This month in history — August 14, 1945, V-J Day
August 14, 1945, word came that Japan was surrendering. It was V-J Day—Victory Over Japan. As…
We Remember V-J Day
This article originally appeared in the Aurora Historical Society’s Summer 2015 newsletter. Become a member and…
Aurora’s Old-Time 4th of July Celebrations
According to the earliest histories, Aurora’s first 4th of July celebration was held in 1837, at…
Kane County History: Aurora’s First African American Police Officers
From the Black Mariah to the corner office, African Americans have a long history in the…
June 14, Flag Day and the Local Connection: Dr. Bernard J. Cigrand
June 14 is Flag Day. The founder of Flag Day was Dr. Bernard J. Cigrand, who…
June 12, 1837: Joseph Stolp Arrives in Aurora
On May 17, 1837, Joseph G. Stolp, just shy of 25 years old, left his home…