19-06-2025
Aurora's Grand Army of the Republic Museum director honored by statewide group
The director of Aurora's Grand Army of the Republic Museum has been named the Museum Professional of the Year by the Illinois Association of Museums.
Grand Army of the Republic Museum Director Eric Pry was honored as part of the association's fifth annual awards ceremony, which recognizes outstanding contributions and achievements in various categories, highlighting the individuals and institutions that make the museum industry both vibrant and dynamic, according to a news release from the city of Aurora.
'This recognition reflects the unwavering dedication of our team and the Aurora community in preserving our rich history,' Pry said in the city news release. 'Since 1999, the commissioners of the G.A.R. Military Museum and leadership within the Community Services Department have supported the museum's transformation into a vibrant center for education and remembrance, ensuring that the memory of our veterans' sacrifices remain at the forefront.'
The G.A.R. Military Museum was built in 1878 with funds raised by Aurora residents as a monument to the city's Civil War veterans and as a shrine to their fallen comrades — plus, it served as a veterans' meeting hall and as the city's first free public library, the news release said.
The museum is at 23 E. Downer Place in downtown Aurora and is open from noon to 7p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
