From the November 15th Aurora (Il) Beacon-News.
The GAR Hall is usually closed, but it was open on Veterans Day. In the last decade, there has been a constant battle to raise funds to preserve it. The Aurora Public Art Commission has plans to turn it into a museum. I know I voted quite often for it a few years ago when American Express held a contest for money for Chicago-area sites that needed preservation.
The cornerstone was laid July 4, 1877 and GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) Post #20 dedicated it July 4, 1878 at a cost of $7,187.54. It also functioned as the Aurora Public Library until 1904.
It was later declared structurally unsound and restoration began in 2000. Recently,t was awarded a $25,000 Illinois Department of Natural Resources grant.
Glad the Building is Being Saved. --Old B-Runner
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