From the Feb. 22nd Aurora (Il) Beacon "Aurora plans GAR renovation" by Stephanie Lulay. And a big thanks to friend Lulu for bringing this to my attention.
A plan to spend $730,000 on the restoration of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Memorial Hall is underway to work onthe exterior and part of the interior. It is located at Downer Place just east of Stolp Avenue.
It is being restored so that special events can once again be held there (this hasn't happened since the 1990s because of the building's deterioration).
The Aurora Public Art Commission also plans to have a Civil War museum there along with a small, non-circulating library.
The GAR Memorial Hall of Aurora Post 20, was dedicated in 1878. That post once had 700 Civil War veterans from 70 different Union regiments. By 1938, with membership declining, the post disbanded and turned the building into a memorial.
Built in the Gothic Revival style and designed by Aurora architect Joseph P.Mulvey. It was rock faced, ashlar laid limestone from Aurora quarries. A two-story addition was added in 1885 that served as a library and meeting place, but was torn down in 1963.
The octagonal building and stair tower is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Aurora raised $250,000 of the project and the rest of the money will come from tax icrement financing. All needed exterior work will be done along with plumbing inside and the building will be brought up to code. It is expected to need about another $775,000 to do all the needed work inside.
I have seen this structure before and it is definitely worth saving.
Always Good Needs When Siomething is Saved Like This. --Old Secesh
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Showing posts with label Aurora. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aurora. Show all posts
Monday, February 27, 2012
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
GAR Hall in Aurora, Illinois
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
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
Thursday, December 20, 2007
GAR Hall, Aurora, Illinois Receives Funds
I am happy to report that the GAR Hall in Aurora at 23 E Downer Place, ranked number 9 in recent voting for American Express' Partners in Preservation contest and, as a result, received over $50,000 for the window restoration.
The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was and organization of former veterans of the Union Army during the Civil War. At one time, there were over 400,000 members. US Highway 6 is also called the Grand Army of the Republic Highway in their honor.
The building was constructed in 1878. Funding for its construction came from the citizens of Aurora and it also housed Aurora's first free public library at one time.
Over its 60 years of operation, some 700 Civil War veterans were members from 70 Illinois regiments.
By 1939, membership was dwindling because of advanced age and the GAR Memorial Association was formed to carry on. The last member, Daniel Wodge, died in 1947 at age 106.
It is built in a Gothic Revival style with locally-mined limestone and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The $55,000 grant from American Express will be used to restore the original stained glass windows. The Association originally requested $94,000, but is happy with anything. In the contest, only the top vote-getter got its full request.
The contest raised community awareness. The building had been closed a few years ago because of safety concerns.
Great News, the city of Aurora has committed $3 million to the project for the GAR. The funds will be used to stabilize the structure, build a basement, and renovate the first floor.
Always Great to Hear News Like This. --B-Runner
The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was and organization of former veterans of the Union Army during the Civil War. At one time, there were over 400,000 members. US Highway 6 is also called the Grand Army of the Republic Highway in their honor.
The building was constructed in 1878. Funding for its construction came from the citizens of Aurora and it also housed Aurora's first free public library at one time.
Over its 60 years of operation, some 700 Civil War veterans were members from 70 Illinois regiments.
By 1939, membership was dwindling because of advanced age and the GAR Memorial Association was formed to carry on. The last member, Daniel Wodge, died in 1947 at age 106.
It is built in a Gothic Revival style with locally-mined limestone and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The $55,000 grant from American Express will be used to restore the original stained glass windows. The Association originally requested $94,000, but is happy with anything. In the contest, only the top vote-getter got its full request.
The contest raised community awareness. The building had been closed a few years ago because of safety concerns.
Great News, the city of Aurora has committed $3 million to the project for the GAR. The funds will be used to stabilize the structure, build a basement, and renovate the first floor.
Always Great to Hear News Like This. --B-Runner
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