2022 Tanner House Holidays’ Visitor Voting
The Favorite Room voting during the 2022 Tanner House Holidays had the following results: First place, Parlor, decorated by Pam and Shawn Van Kampen. Following first place very closely was the second place Dining Room, decorated by Darlene and Jim Varney and their...
WEATHER CLOSURE, DECEMBER 23, 2022
Due to the extreme weather, and for the safety of staff, volunteers, and visitors, we will be closing both our sites this weekend. The downtown David L. Pierce Art & History Center, featuring exhibits and the gift shop, will be closed Friday, December 23rd &...
Tanner House Special Guests on December 4, 2022
Enjoy the decked-out Tanner House on Sunday, December 4 from 1-4pm and visit with special guests Santa and Mrs. Claus!
2023 Victoria Award: Victorian Christmas Dinner
Darlene and Jim Varney and their daughter Emily Adams accept the Victoria Award from house historian Karen Nickels for their creation of a Victorian Christmas dinner in the Dining Room.
A Look Back At Portraits of the Past
Take a look back at the 2022 exhibit Portraits of the Past. Harry H. Barber (1878-1948) William B. Greene (1886-1982) Harry H. Barber & William B. Greene; Oil portraits by James J. Ingwersen, 1966 Harry Barber & W. B. Greene were engineers at Aurora’s...
Winter Lights 2022, November 18
Winter Lights event brings Santa and associates to light the city holiday tree right outside the Pierce Center. The evening ends with fireworks. Start your holiday shopping and enjoy a variety of street food. Friday, November 18, 6-8 pm.
Veterans Day — Join us for Coffee & Donuts
Coffee and donuts at the Pierce Center courtesy of the City of Aurora immediately following the Veterans Day parade on Friday, Nov. 11. Parade steps off at 10:15 am. Stop by for a treat and see the "Take A Seat" exhibit of chairs from our collection before it closes...
Spanish Flu epidemic and World War I come to Tanner House Museum
Singer-songwriter Bradley Keven Green in a 2018 performance of Death Comes to the Tanner House, set in the Civil War era. The Aurora Historical Society takes on a terrible blend of war, sickness, and death in Death Comes to the Tanner House: 1918 over the Halloween...
Reimagining Blue, a book signing with Kristen Ziman
Retired Chief of Police Kristen Ziman will sign copies of her inspiring book, Reimagining Blue, on Tuesday, November 8, from 5-7pm at the Gift Shop in the Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer, 60505. In stock at the gift shop or reserve your copy by calling 630-906-0650. $26 plus tax, members get 10% discount.
Tickets: A Birthday Party for Ruth VanSickle Ford
Without a doubt Ruth VanSickle Ford, 1897-1989, is Aurora's best-known artist and arts educator, and the Aurora Historical Society will pay tribute to her on the occasion of her 125th birthday year. Saturday, October 22, 2022 4:00-7:00pm @ Aurora Country ClubExhibit,...
In Memoriam: Bob O’Connor (1944-2022)
Former mayor, 36-year member of city council, and stalwart supporter of the best in Aurora, Bob was a real friend of the Aurora Historical Society and we will miss his generous smile and kind sense of humor. In this 2017 photo, Bob, at left, joined in the fun of...
Remembering Henry Pratt
The Henry Pratt may be gone now, moved to Kimball, Tennessee, but before closing the building, on Highland Avenue, the company donated a memorial bench to the Historical Society.
Death Comes to the Tanner House 2022 Tickets
Knocking at the door will be the so-called Spanish Flu of 1918. See how Aurora handled THAT one. October 28-29-30 with performances at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30pm. $20 per person; $17 for members. [tt-event...
“Take a Seat” exhibit explores the history of chairs
Chairs of all styles and eras will be featured in the fall exhibit of the Aurora Historical Society starting September 2.