Aurora commits to restoration of memorial hall

Aurora's GAR Memorial Hall has seen better days.

Many decades ago, the historic building stood as a proud tribute to the Civil War soldiers who fought to preserve the Union.

More recently, the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall, Aurora Post 20, has stood silent and dark.

In need of repair, it was closed to the public several years ago because of safety concerns.

Now, city leaders are determined to breathe new life into the building.

About 40 supporters were on hand Thursday for a ceremony in which leaders announced the building is competing with 24 other Chicago-area historic sites for $1 million in rehab funds.

Residents can vote daily for their favorite landmark in the Partners in Preservation contest through Oct. 10. Should the GAR hall win, the money will go toward restoring the building's stained glass windows.

The hall, built of limestone in 1878, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Aside from serving as a gathering place and a shrine to the fallen, it also was the city's first free library.

The Grand Army of the Republic, founded in 1866, was one of America's first veterans organizations. Aurora Post 20 was among the state's first posts.

The preservation contest came at just the right time, city leaders said, with Mayor Tom Weisner pledging to make the restoration a priority.

While the mayor talked, he tilted his head. "It's simply because I'm trying to make the building look level," he joked.

The hall's foundation is starting to sink into the river, city leaders said.

About six years ago, a group got together to create a building vision, but ran into funding issues and other delays. Now, a concrete plan is finally in place.

"It's been a long haul," said GAR commission member Michael Sawdey.

Work on the project's first phase, which could cost around $700,000, should begin in November. A museum with artifacts and interactive exhibits will be constructed in the basement, with a lift to the first floor.

Once the underground work is complete, crews will remodel the first floor. The entire project could cost nearly $3 million and will occur in phases over the next few years.

Though the city has committed to the restoration, any outside funding is significant, leaders say.

"That's a few bucks we don't have to take out of the treasury," Weisner said.