All aboard at the Old Aurora Train Depot for a special storytime of Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. Kids will cozy up with hot cocoa and a story. Of course, your most comfy jammies are encouraged, but not required. Who knows, maybe that train whistle will be coming around the corner! We hope to see all of your kids there for this magical storytime at the Depot on December 16th at 1 pm!
Join Between the Lines Book Club leader Ron Nicholson as he shares “The Secrets & Surprises in A Christmas Carol,” discussing the story’s origins and background, how it impacted how we celebrate Christmas today, and share some “insider” information. For example, did you know Tiny Tim’s name was originally planned to be Little Dick, that Dickens’ first idea for the book was to include “Ignorance” and “Want” as symbols against the so-called Poor Laws, or that Scrooge’s name came from a misreading of a tombstone in Scotland? Meet us at the Local History Library in the Old Aurora Train Depot on Second Street for a lively talk at 6:30 pm. We look forward to seeing you there!
Oh no… you lit the black candle! You know what that means! The Sanderson Sisters are coming to the Aurora Train Depot!
It’s just a bunch of Hocus Pocus! Join us at the Local History Library at the Depot for a showing of Hocus Pocus, a family film that follows a villainous comedic trio of witches who are inadvertently resurrected by a teenage boy in Salem, Massachusetts on Halloween night.
FREE snacks and drinks will be provided. Anyone ages 13-19 are welcome to attend!
We’ll watch the Sanderson Sisters return on Thursday, October 12th at 6 pm at the Local History Library at the Depot. Wear your spookiest attire if you feel so obligated!
Discover your hometown through the lens of a world before humankind with the Archaeological Research Institute! Bring the whole family to learn about the stories the river valley’s land can tell us and the mysteries that hide in the land that surrounds us. Then, put your thinking caps on and participate in some archaeological investigations to solve the mysteries of Ancient Aurora and what roamed the land before us!
This program will take place at the Local History Library @ The Depot on September 13th at 3:30 pm. Families of all ages are welcome to attend, though most subject matter and activities will be aimed at elementary-age children. Have any questions? Please call 812-926-4363 or visit the library to speak to a librarian.
Check out these books from the library to prepare for your ancient investigation!
Have you been missing the Local History Library at the Depot? We miss you too! The Local History Library has been closed indefinitely for the summer of 2022. While we miss your visits and questions about Aurora history, we’ve been making some BIG changes! The main room at the Local History Library is getting a massive makeover. We are painting the interior of the depot to restore it to its original color scheme of Indian Red and Brown to match the colors of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, on which our depot was a stop. We are also installing shelving handmade by local woodworkers Iron Timbers for our various paintings and photographs to be proudly displayed on our walls. There are plans to make the building more accessible for our handicapped patrons in the coming year. One of the most exciting updates to our building is the installation of model train tracks and trains along the walls. This will add to the ambience of our space and serve as a reminder of the original purpose of our beloved depot.
We have received many inquiries from our dedicated patrons about the Local History Library and its eventual reopening. Due to the changing nature of the situation, we cannot provide a concrete date at this time, but we are now setting our sights on January 2023 for our grand reopening. Once the depot is opened to the public, expect some changes in our services and approach to local history. We will always provide assistance with genealogy and family history, but our focus will be shifting towards a community-centered approach. The Local History Library will become a space where members of the community can gather and share ideas and experiences in our hometown. We want you to think of the Local History Library as a classroom, presentation space, and extension of the main library branch, providing you with the proper space to learn and grow in Aurora.
So, we hope to see you soon at the depot! If you have any questions about local history, genealogy, or the depot, please speak to a librarian or give us a call at 812-926-0646. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
