Nov. 8: Free Living History - Civil War

In honor of Veterans Day 2011 and the 150^th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, the Village of Montgomery will offer a free living history presentation on the Civil War on Tuesday, November 8^th at 10:00 a.m. at the Montgomery Village Hall. If you have ever wondered what it was like to fight in the Civil War, this is an opportunity to find out. Historian and author Robert I. Girardi will discuss the experience of the Civil War soldier using uniforms, weapons and artifacts to describe what the soldiers wore, the equipment they used, the food they ate and the medical care they received. Girardi will discuss the nature of army life, the motivations of the soldiers and the conditions in which they gave service. This is a hands on, interactive presentation, so questions are welcome.

This free presentation is being offered by the Village of Montgomery. There is no charge and the event is handicapped accessible. The monthly Senior Lunch and activity will begin at 11:00 a.m. after the presentation. There is a $4 suggested donation for the lunch.

For additional information on this event, please call the Montgomery Village Hall at (630) 896-8080 ext. 1227.

Sept 24: Civil War Encampment

AURORA - The Illinois Humanities Council Board of Directors has awarded
a $5,000 grant to the Aurora Public Library for the Fox Valley Reads
2011 program, which is offering programs and activities related to the
150th anniversary of the American Civil War.

Among programs planned for the month-long Fox Valley Reads is a free
Civil War Encampment scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept.
24, at the corner of River and Benton streets in Aurora. The encampment
will feature a military dress parade, cooking demonstrations at the
commissary tent, a rifle fire demonstration, period music and children's
activities.

Fox Valley Reads, a partnership among six libraries located in the Fox
River Valley, has chosen the book "All Other Nights" by Dara Horn as its
centerpiece book for the 2011 commemoration of the Civil War
anniversary. Horn will speak at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, at the Illinois
Mathematics and Science Academy in a program sponsored by Fox Valley
Reads. She will discuss her research into the Civil War and how she used
it to write "All Other Nights." A book signing will follow the
presentation.

Fox Valley reads includes a number of other programs, including a
presentation where actors who portray the Lincolns discuss the Civil War
(2 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy); a
lecture by Aurora Historical Society Executive Director John Jaros on
the role Aurora and its citizens played in the Civil War (2 p.m. Oct. 29
at the West Branch of the Aurora Public Library); and Civil War
Storytime at the David L. Pierce Art and History Center. (4 p.m. Oct.
25).

For a listing of all Fox Valley Reads programs, go to
foxvalleyreads.org.

July 2 & 3: Civil War in Aurora*

URORA -- The ringing declarations of abolitionist Frederick Douglass proclaimed by television actor and native son Phil Van Lear, the tunes of the 1860s played on antique instruments by a 16-piece brass band, a conversation between Mary and Abraham Lincoln as they dress for a night of theater, and the idle chatter of soldiers keeping camp around smoky fires are some of the attractions of “The Civil War in Aurora,” sponsored by the Aurora Historical Society on July 2 and 3 on the grounds of the Tanner House Museum, a landmark 1857 building in one of Aurora’s oldest neighborhoods.
Reenactors will camp out on the grounds both days, and there will be demonstrations of period crafts such as wool-spinning, candle-making and blacksmithing. A 19th-century schoolmarm will educate and entertain children, and visitors will have free access to the Tanner House.
In the entertainment tent, headliners will include VanLear, recently seen on “Prison Break” and “Chicago Code,” the nationally-known Illinois 33rd Regiment Reenactor Band, and Max and Donna Daniels as Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln. Other entertainers will read historic letters from both battlefront and home front and perform music and dance of the period. Of special interest will be appearances by Aurora citizens whose letters and mementos of the Civil War have been researched by members of the Historical Society. Some of these individuals are Dr. Abner Hard, a surgeon with the 8th Cavalry whose field notes graphically depict his treatment of patients on the battlefield, and Cal Boger, an escaped slave who started a new life and a family dynasty in Aurora.
The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students. Two-day passes are $12 and $8. The Tanner House is located at Oak and Cedar Streets in Aurora.
For more information, please see www.aurorahistory.net or call Civil War Event at 630-859-3292.

April 15: Civil War at 150 exhibit in downtown Aurora

The Aurora Public Art Commission and the Aurora Historical Society are teaming up to present a new exhibit commemorating the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War.

“If I should not write you again: Remembering life in Aurora during and following the Civil War” will be on display starting with a special opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 15 at the David L. Pierce Art & History Center, 20 E. Downer Place. The event is free.

The exhibit will feature war-related items such as weaponry, photos and gear from local regiments, including a surgeon’s kit and field notes from Auroran Dr. Abner Hard, 8th Illinois Calvary unit; and the sword of Colonel Silas Miller of the 36th Illinois Infantry.

Artifacts from the home front on display will include images of Aurora in the mid-19th century, an 1860 Kane County map, clothing, tools and other household items of the era. Patrons also will be able to view historical treasures from Aurora’s former Grand Army of the Republic Post 20, such as the original charter, medals from various encampments, organization meeting minutes and photographs.

The Grand Army of the Republic, a national Civil War veterans’ organization, existed in Aurora from the 1860s to the 1920s. The GAR Memorial Hall, which was built in 1877-78, stands across the street from the Art & History Center.

The City of Aurora’s Public Art Commission (APAC) is seeking to raise at least $800,000 through public and private partnerships to complete both exterior and interior renovations at the GAR Memorial Hall. Once work is complete, the building will be opened as a veterans’ center and museum to learn about Aurora’s role in America’s wars and genealogical research.

People looking to make a donation to APAC’s GAR restoration effort can:

· Go online to the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley’s website at www.communityfoundationfrv.org/fund_profiles-aurora_art.asp;

· Send a check or money order to the Aurora Public Art Commission Fund, Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, 111 W. Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60506; or

· Call Aurora’s Customer Service Center at 630-256-INFO or call the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley at 630-896-7800.


The Civil War exhibit will be open to the public during regular gallery hours from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Friday through Jan. 20, 2012. Daily admission is free. For more information on the exhibit, visit the City’s website at www.aurora-il.org.