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Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall in Aurora, Illinois


KevinBeyer
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Hello, Everyone,

 

I need your help! I live in Aurora, Illinois, which is home to an original Grand Army of the Republic meeting hall. It is in need of restoration and, as a result, isn't open to the public. With restoration people will be able to enter this building and touch history.

 

Here is how you can help. The G.A.R. Memorial Hall is in competition to receive funds from American Express and their Partners in Preservation organization. The competition consists of voting for which historical site in the Chicagoland area is most deserving of receiving the funds. Right now the G.A.R. Hall is in 6th place out of 25. With the help of this online community, I think we can catapult the Hall to first place!

 

The best part about your participation is that it requires nothing but a few minutes each day. This is NOT a request for money. People can vote once a day until October 10th. Here is the information provided by Partners in Preservation:

 

The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Memorial Hall is one 25 historic sites in the Chicago land area competing for funding in the Partners in Preservation grant competition. A widely recognized local landmark, the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall was built in 1877-1878. Funded by “popular subscription” to honor Civil War Veterans, it has continuously served this purpose. An octagonal Gothic Revival style building constructed of locally quarried limestone, it features arched stained glass windows and a rooftop statue of a soldier on guard duty. In the early 1960s, public outcry saved the GAR from demolition for a parking lot. Now you can vote online at www.partnersinpreservation.org to help fund the restoration of the beautiful stain glass windows. Please vote early and often!

 

www.partnersinpreservation.org

 

Please help this worthy cause. Vote every day!

 

Thanks!

 

Kevin

AuroraGARHall.jpg

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  • 2 months later...

Hello, Everyone,

 

I would just like to thank everyone who voted for the G.A.R. Hall to receive special funding from American Express. I just heard that the G.A.R. Hall along with other Illinois Historical Landmarks will be receiving grants for preservation. Although it wasn't the highest vote getter, it received enough to be awarded a grant.

 

Thanks again,

 

Kevin

 

Partners In Preservation Grant Announcement

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Hello, Everyone,

 

I would just like to thank everyone who voted for the G.A.R. Hall to receive special funding from American Express. I just heard that the G.A.R. Hall along with other Illinois Historical Landmarks will be receiving grants for preservation. Although it wasn't the highest vote getter, it received enough to be awarded a grant.

 

Thanks again,

 

Kevin

 

Partners In Preservation Grant Announcement

 

 

Excellent news Kevin. thumbsup.gif

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That's great news! I recently located the old Grand Army of the Republic Hall here in town. It's now a Chinese Restaurant. I would have never known had it not been for an old newspaper from the 1880's that I found. It's sad that most of these historical places are now lost to time. Thanks for posting this - it was nice to see that at least one will be restored!

 

Chris

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  • 3 months later...

Hello, Everyone,

 

I visited the GAR Hall today and apparently renovation work on the structure has already begun. The person at the Historical Society said that work began last November. (I could not think of a worse winter to be working outdoors in the Northern Illinois area!) The GAR Hall was given money from the fine people at American Express and the City of Aurora has also contributed funds to assist the restoration.

 

GARPost20_RiverView.jpg

 

Kevin

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For the time being a local Stain Glass company is storing the windows. These, too, are in need of restoration and the city is trying to decide how best to do so. I was told that it was suggested by the building contractors that the windows be removed because they were afraid of breaking them. Can you imagine? If you are going to all of this effort, why wouldn't you plan to repair the windows as well? Thank the powers that be for the guy who works for the construction company who had the forethought to consider the safety of the windows!

 

 

GARPost20_Entrance1.jpg GARPost20_Entrance2.jpg

 

Kevin

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Lastly,

 

Here is a model of the structure that is on display in the Historical Museum.

 

GARPost20_Model.jpg

 

Kevin

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  • 1 month later...

I visited the GAR Hall this morning and took some more photographs of the restoration. As you can see, they have been working on the roof.

 

GARPost20_080426_c.jpg

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Here are some close ups of the main entrance. Note that the building was erected in 1877.

 

GARPost20_080426_f.jpg GARPost20_080426_g.jpg

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This is a view from the far side of the building.

 

GARPost20_080426_d.jpg

 

That is all for now.

 

Kevin

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  • 1 year later...

I stopped by the GAR hall on my way home from work today. It appears that the exterior restoration has been finished. I hope that the interior will be restored some day.

 

GARPost20_090812_a.jpg

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