Grand Army of the Republic Hall (Aurora, Illinois) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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GAR Memorial Building
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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| Location | 23 East Downer Place Aurora, Illinois |
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| Built | 1877 |
| Architect | Joseph Mulvey |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001130 |
| Added to NRHP | August 23, 1984 |
The Grand Army of the Republic Hall, often called the GAR Hall, is an important old building in Aurora, Illinois. You can find it at 23 East Downer Place, right on Stolp Island. It's a special place that honors soldiers who fought in the American Civil War.
Contents
Building a Special Place for Soldiers
Why the Hall Was Built
Back in 1869, a group called the Soldier's Monument Association formed in Aurora. Their main goal was to raise money to build a monument for the soldiers who fought in the American Civil War. This war was a very important time in American history.
The group did a great job raising money. Fred O. White, who was their secretary, had a new idea. He suggested they build a useful building instead of just a monument. He had visited a similar building in Massachusetts called Memorial Hall. That building was a helpful meeting place and a library.
Designing the Hall
The people in Aurora wanted their building to look a lot like the one in Massachusetts. However, they decided not to use a granite roof or stained glass. Joseph Mulvey was chosen to design the building. We don't know of any other buildings he designed.
The GAR Hall was built on Stolp Island. This island was seen as a "neutral territory" between the east and west sides of Aurora. It was a popular spot for public buildings because the two sides of the river didn't always get along.
A Hub for the Community
For many years, the GAR Hall was the only public library in Aurora. That changed in 1903 when a new Carnegie library opened across the street.
The hall was also the meeting spot for the Aurora G.A.R. Post No. 20. The G.A.R. stands for Grand Army of the Republic. This was a group for Union soldiers who had fought honorably in the Civil War. There were many such groups across Illinois. The Aurora group met there until its last member, Daniel Augustus Wedge, passed away in 1947.
Saving and Restoring the Hall
From Demolition to Restoration
In the 1960s, there were plans to tear down the Grand Army of the Republic Hall. But many people in the community spoke up and wanted to save it! Because of this public support, the city changed its plans.
In 1963, a fundraising campaign started to help fix up the building. It was a big success! The hall was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This means it's recognized as an important historical site. It also became part of the Stolp Island Historic District in 1986.
The Hall Today
Renovations on the hall were partly finished in 2016. After that, the building opened to the public as "The Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum." Today, you can visit the G.A.R. Memorial Museum every Saturday afternoon from Noon to 4 p.m. It's a great place to learn about the Civil War and Aurora's history.
Building Features
The GAR Hall has a unique octagon (eight-sided) shape. It was built using limestone from local quarries. The building is one and a half stories tall and features a Gothic Revival style. This style often includes pointed arches and detailed decorations.
Outside the hall, there's a small area with an old cannon from 1851, a bench, and a flagpole. In 1884, an addition was built on the south side of the hall. However, this part was removed during the 1963 restoration efforts.
