Aurora Historical Society Seeking New Members

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The Aurora Historical Society is seeking 100 new members by the holidays in an effort to increase support for the preservation of local history, according to Hector Ochoa, membership chair for the 108-year-old organization.

“As a not-for profit, we need that impact on our bottom line, but we also need to draw in new people who love Aurora and her history,” Ochoa said.

“We think that there are a lot of people out there who would love the benefits of membership,” Ochoa added. He said benefits include year-around free admission to the 1857 Tanner House Museum and reduced prices on tickets to lectures and events.

Members also are entitled to free use of the archives for research, and they receive a 10 percent discount in the Museum Store as well as the society’s newsletter, “Aurora History.”

Cost of membership runs from $20 per year for students and seniors to $30 for individuals and $40 for families. There are also special categories for benefactors and businesses. Memberships can be taken out online, in person at the Museum Store in the Pierce Art and History Center, 20 East Downer Pl, 60505, or by mail at P.O. Box 905, Aurora, IL 60507. The website is www.aurorahistory.net.

“We offer Aurora goods and opportunities that are absolutely unique,” Ochoa said. “For instance, our gift shop has a great selection of Aurora-themed items and we have 3 brand-new books about East-West football, Aurora industry, and Phillips Park, all of which are discounted by 10 percent to members. Recently, members were invited to a private reception on the lawn of the Tanner House to meet two of the Tanner’s great-great grandchildren and view their recent donation of original Tanner possessions. For anyone with an interest in Aurora, we give a lot.”

The Aurora Historical Society currently holds about 80,000 artifacts and is actively collecting more. The schedule of special events include the ethnic tributes titled “Flavors of Aurora: Stirred, Not Shaken” and lectures on such topics as railroads, early medicine, and Victorian death customs. The society operates two locations, the Tanner House Museum and Archives at 305 Cedar Street and the exhibits and store at the Pierce Art and History Center downtown, largely with volunteer help.

“We want people to think about the challenges of preserving so much history, both in the past and coming in the future, and imagine how rewarding it will be to have a hand in it. That’s what motivates me, as a volunteer trustee, and I know it will motivate others. I hope 100 others,” Ochoa said.