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The genesis of the Aurora
Memorial Library goes back to 1947, when a group of parents conceived a
memorial to nine boys who died in WW II. A group of lots were purchased
at sheriff's sale and a boulder and cannon were placed there to honor
the war dead. In 1964, the idea of a library on the property was
proposed and funds were donated by a local family. The original library,
dedicated to the memory of George Byron Chapman, opened in 1966.
In May 1968, the East
Wing was built with money donated by Kitty Riley Wheeler and provided
the first home for the Aurora Historical Society Museum. In 1971, the
Chapman family donated a Performing Arts Center.
Finally in 1991,
public tax money was used for the first time to expand the library. A
levy was passed and the building doubled in size. The museum and theatre
benefited from the expansion as well.
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