Aurora celebrating its and centenarians’ birthdays
Submitted by Aurora Historical Society
The centenarian citizens of Aurora, those turning 100 in 2012 or older, and the pioneer families who settled in the area during or before the Civil War as well as the person who has lived continuously in the city for the longest time will be honored at the official birthday party of the city of Aurora on March 2 when the city turns 175 years old.
The city and the Aurora Historical Society are seeking the names and contact information of persons who fit the criteria. Once verified, the individuals and their families will be invited to the party where they will be honored during the ceremonies. The party will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Aurora Transportation Center, 233 N. Broadway. Parking will be free.
Anyone who would like to suggest a name or family should visit the historical society’s webpage, aurorahistory.net, and click on the 175th Anniversary button. Necessary information can be filled out and submitted online, or sent by email to events@aurorahistory.net.
Two free events will celebrate the 175th birthday of the city of Aurora on March 2. A postal cancellation ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. at the downtown post office, commemorating the establishment, on March 2, 1837, of the Aurora Post Office. Within a setting of postal memorabilia jointly curated by the Post Office and the Aurora Historical Society, postal employees will offer a commemorative postmark saluting Aurora’s 175-year history. Entertainment will include a reading of the 1837 letter announcing the establishment of the office, as well as original music written about Aurora. Postmaster Jackie Sanchez will speak.
The commemorative postmark is free, however it can only be placed on first-class mail postage. Collectors and souvenir hunters may bring their own envelopes with first class stamp affixed, or they may choose from a set of four pictorial envelopes featuring famous images of Aurora which the historical society will offer at a nominal price. The cancellation may also be obtained for a period of 30 days following the ceremonies by submitting a request to the post office.
After 30 days the equipment is destroyed, ensuring the integrity of the cancellation. Canceled pictorial envelopes will be for sale at the Aurora Historical Society gift shop throughout the year. See aurorahistory.net for details.
The post office is at 525 North Broadway. The cancellation activities will be conducted from 2 to 4 p.m.
A birthday party to celebrate the 175th anniversary will be held from 5 to to 8 p.m. at the Aurora Transportation Center. Sponsored jointly by the city of Aurora and the Aurora Historical Society, the event will include refreshments, music, historic characters and the Goddess Aurora, making her first appearance of the year. The historical society is seeking Aurora’s oldest citizens, pioneer families, and residents who have significant length of residence to be honored by the mayor. Visit aurorahistory.net to learn more about the criteria and how to submit a nomination.
The Aurora Transportation Center is at 233 North Broadway, 60505. Parking will be free that evening. Both events are free and open to the public.
Those preferring to mail their information should write to Mary Caffee-Twait at Aurora Historical Society, P.O. Box 905, Aurora, IL 60507.