By John Jaros, Executive Director, Aurora Historical Society 140 years ago – on November 8, 1881, Aurora became one of the first cities in the country to light its streets with electricity. This is the story of how that came to be. In our modern world, with its...
The Tanner House Museum, decorated for the holidays, will be open for walkthrough tours on the Sundays of December, December 5, 12, 19 and 26, from Noon to 4pm. The museum has not been open since 2019 due to the coronavirus pandemic. “We have had to be cautious...
We are thrilled to announce the Our Favorite Things exhibit has been extended through the end of the year. Visit the David L. Pierce Art & History Center's first floor gallery to explore the eclectic mix of artifacts from Aurora. View the calendar of events for...
Treat yourself, a friend, or loved one with these holiday treats for your ears.
Executive Director John Jaros and Society President Mary Clark Ormond among some of "Our Favorite Things" Don't miss your chance to visit the "Our Favorite Things" exhibit highlight an eclectic selection of museum artifacts spanning the years of 1868 to 2020. The...
Get into the spooky season with tales from Haunted Aurora by Diane A. Ladley.
This article originally appeared on Kane County Connects as a part of a series on Kane County's amazing history. The phrase “boys of summer” first came from the pen of the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas in 1934. It was a bittersweet lament about vanished youth. Later,...
This article originally appeared in the Aurora Historical Society e-news, March 2010 edition.By Jennifer Putzier, Former CuratorUranium Glass - pretty and only slightly radioactive! Uranium, the same material that radium is derived from and makes nuclear power...
Congratulations to Old Second National Bank as they celebrate 150 years. Below is a video produced by the bank. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBnf8JiX0pI
Harry Sadler formed the Aurora Piano Manufacturing Company in 1891, building a factory on Parker near Douglas, and selling from a showroom downtown on Broadway. The company continued manufacturing these pianos until about 1904, and Harry continued selling their inventory until about 1910.
Davy Jones Pinball Machine Stoner Manufacturing Corporation1939 The family-operated Stoner Manufacturing Corporation began in 1931 as a maker of pinball machines, producing nearly 100 different models throughout the decade. In 1938 the company also began producing...
Take home a piece of vintage history in pictures to preserve — or to mail a piece of Aurora to friends near or far. This new old stock booklet of 32 unique vintage postcards celebrates Aurora’s Sesquicentennial in 1987. What’s old is new again! Stop by the Gift Shop or shop online to have it delivered (tax and shipping not included).
The Thor Motorcycle, manufactured locally by the Aurora Automatic Machinery Company (later Thor Power Tool), was one of the most popular early motorcycles nationwide. Over 100,000 were manufactured between 1906 and 1917.
Come see this and more of Our Favorite Things and The Aurora Story at the David L. Pierce Art & History Center including many other things that are #MadeInAurora.