The Aurora History Museum is rolling out the red carpet for a "Grand Celebration" set to take place this Saturday, Nov. 16 from 3 to 6 p.m., marking a trio of anniversaries significant to the institution and the city's cultural heritage. As reported by the City of Aurora, the event will commemorate the 25th year of the Festival of Wreaths, a decade since the restoration of the Trolley Trailer 610, and 45 years since the museum first opened its doors.
Museum Director T. Scott Williams expressed his pride in hosting the celebration, "It is an honor to celebrate these milestones at the Aurora History Museum, a space that preserves and promotes Aurora's history, serving as a resource to all the members of our community," he stated, as per the City of Aurora. The Festival of Wreaths serves as a fundraising event that features contributions from local businesses, organizations, and individuals, who decorate and donate wreaths to be auctioned off. This initiative is crucial for the museum’s future, as proceeds are earmarked for a new storage facility to ensure the preservation of Aurora’s stories and artifacts.
The event isn't merely a backward glance at history, rather, it’s a lively fundraiser that promises to entertain with performances by local artists, hors d’oeuvres, and special artifacts on display. Families looking for an early start can also swing by the museum from noon to 2 p.m. for a charming photo op with Santa on the Trolley Trailer 610. As the Aurora Museum Foundation orchestrates the Festival of Wreaths, community members are encouraged to engage in both the online auction and the live auction at the celebration to snag one of these uniquely adorned wreaths.
The Aurora History Museum has been a fixture in the community since 1979, and after relocating in 1990, it reopened in 1991 as part of the Aurora Library and Cultural Services Department. The museum's commitment to accessibility is underscored by its free admission and hours tailored to suit a variety of visitors, operating from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Those interested in the upcoming Grand Celebration or in learning more about the museum's offerings can find further details at AuroraGov.org/Wreaths.
