Welcome to the Aurora History Museum

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The Museum's educational programs include performances, workshops, lectures, tours, creative activities, demonstrations, living history classes, videos, slide presentations, school programs, educator trunks, extended tours, a variety of outreach programs, and special events.


The Education Department offers programs to a diverse audience. Program attendees represent Aurora's multi-ethnic population, plus age groups from 1 to 80 and beyond.


The Hands-On room programming introduces children to history. The Hands-On exhibit is a self-paced, self-guided tour for children accompanied by adults.

BROWN BAG AND WHITE LINEN LECTURE SERIES
Sponsored by the Aurora Historical Society

Colorado Journeys – A True Heritage Experience
Wednesday, May 21
12 – 1 p.m.
How can you experience the places & activities that represent the stories & people of Colorado? Join the Colorado Tourism Office & learn about current projects in Colorado that promote cultural & heritage travel.
Register with City of Aurora registration desk. Call 303-326-8650
Registration number 117807.
$4 ($3 Aurora Residents)

The History of Cherry Creek School District
Wednesday, June 18
12 – 1 p.m.
When it was organized in 1950, Cherry Creek School District No. 5 consisted of Cherry Hills, Glendale, a bit of Englewood & endless acres of farmland south of Aurora. Today, one of the state’s largest districts, it is largely within the confines of the City of Aurora. Join former deputy superintendent Dr. Donald Goe as he recounts the district’s unique history.
Register with City of Aurora registration desk. Call 303-326-8650
Registration number 121975.
$4 ($3 Aurora Residents)

Lowry in the 1940s
Wednesday, July 16
12 – 1 p.m.
Formed in 1937 as an Army Air Corps training center, Lowry Field became an important site for aircraft armament, aerial photography training & later, autopilot maintenance training. John Bonds, historian & volunteer archivist for the Wings Over the Rockies Museum, shares stories of Lowry’s beginnings & its role in World War II.
Register with City of Aurora registration desk. Call 303-326-8650
Registration number 121976.
$4 ($3 Aurora Residents)

Baseball with an Altitude
Wednesday, August 20
12 – 1 p.m.
Dr. Mark S. Foster, author of three books on the history of baseball in Colorado, presents a slide show depicting the rise of our National Game from the lowliest sandlots to World Series excitement at the gloried sanctuary of Coors Field. His illustrated talk traces the rise of baseball, both professional & amateur, from the time of America’s Civil War up to the present.
Register with City of Aurora registration desk. Call 303-326-8650
Registration number 121977.
$4 ($3 Aurora Residents)

FAMILY DAYS

Aurora’s 117th Birthday Party
Wednesday, April 30
5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Bring the family to celebrate Aurora’s 117th birthday! A magic show starring Rosy Rosebud, face painting with Rosie the Clown, Aurora Bingo & other games entertain birthday party goers. Win prizes & eat cake!
FREE ADMISSION

Walk Where the Dinosaurs Walked
Saturday, May 31
9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Do you love hunting for dinosaurs? Hop on a bus & explore the Front Range for evidence of dinosaurs. See amazing rock formations, dinosaur footprints & cool fossils with geologist Dick Jensen! Meet at the museum, dress for the outdoors, wear walking shoes, and bring your camera and a sack lunch. For ages 6 – adult. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
Register with City of Aurora registration desk. Call 303-326-8650
Registration number 117808.
$20 ($15 Aurora Residents)

Prairie Dog Watching
Sunday, June 1
2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Do prairie dogs kiss? Have you seen a prairie dog baby? Discover the energetic life of prairie dogs & view baby prairie dogs on a Dogtown tour at DeLaney Farm. Bring binoculars & wear walking shoes.
Register with City of Aurora registration desk. Call 303-326-8650
Registration number 119507.
$4 ($3 Aurora Residents)

Last Tea on the Titanic
Saturday, June 21
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Back by popular demand! Delight in tea as it would have been served on the Titanic. See one of the largest private Titanic collections in the Denver area, presented by Titanic historian Mike Shaug, as he portrays Titanic’s Chief Officer Henry Wilde. Meet Margaret “Molly” Brown & learn about her experiences on the Titanic.
Register with City of Aurora registration desk. Call 303-326-8650
Registration number 121974.
$25 ($19 Aurora Residents)

Meet Franklin D. Roosevelt
Sunday, July 13
2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Elected president four times, more than any other man in U.S. history, Franklin D. Roosevelt (portrayed by Richard Marold, local history scholar) answers your questions & talks about his time in office.
FREE ADMISSION

Georgetown Silver Plume Rail Excursion
Ages 6- Adult
Saturday, August 2
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Travel 100 years into the past on the old-time narrow gauge steam locomotive of the Georgetown Loop Railroad. After the ride, spend time shopping & touring Historic Georgetown. Lunch is on your own. Fee includes railroad tickets.
Register with City of Aurora registration desk. Call 303-326-8650
Registration number 121947.
$62 ($48 Aurora Residents) – Adults
$52 ($40 Aurora Residents) – Children 6-15

SPECIAL EVENTS

4th OF JULY
Friday, July 4, 2008; 5-8 p.m.
Tour the Museum while you wait for the 4th of July Spectacular Fireworks & the United States Air Force Academy Concert Band on the Aurora Municipal Center lawn. See the Presidential Campaigns exhibit, enjoy fun-filled activities for kids & search the galleries for clues in a Museum scavenger hunt to win a prize!
FREE ADMISSION

CLASSES

Historic Blacksmithing Class
Ages 16 – Adult
Saturday, June 14
10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Under the watchful eye of a locally-trained blacksmith, learn basic blacksmithing skills & create a simple project in this hands-on, hot forging workshop. Students should wear long pants & closed toe shoes. Held at DeLaney Farm Historic Site.
Register with City of Aurora registration desk. Call 303-326-8650
Registration number 121946.
$16 ($12 Aurora Residents)

SUMMER CAMPS

Cowboy Camp
Children Ages 8-12
Mon. July 7 – Thurs. July 10; 9:00 a.m. – 12 Noon each day
Howdy pardner! A large number of cowboys & ranchers used to call Aurora their home. Try your hand at cowboy crafts, roping, riding, branding & chuck wagon cooking! Children should be sure to wear sunscreen & closed toe shoes! Held at DeLaney Farm Historic Site.
Register with City of Aurora registration desk. Call 303-326-8650
Registration number 118369.
$100 ($80 Aurora Residents)

Pioneer Camp
Children Ages 8-12
Mon. June 23 – Thurs. June 26; 9:00 a.m. – 12 Noon each day
Or
Mon. July 28 – Thurs. July 31; 9:00 a.m. – 12 Noon each day
Pioneers came West in the late 1800s to start new lives on the eastern plains of Colorado. Learn what their travels & lives were like. Make candles, churn butter, bake in a wood-burning oven & enjoy the same games & goodies that pioneer children did! Children should be sure to wear sunscreen & closed toe shoes! Held at DeLaney Farm Historic Site.
Register with City of Aurora registration desk. Call 303-326-8650
Registration numbers:
June – 118378
July - 118379
$100 ($80 Aurora Residents)


Local Lore Badge Day
Saturday, May 17
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
For Juniors. Learn about Aurora, its architecture, and past while visiting the Museum and an historic site. Earn the Local Lore badge in a morning of fun. Tour the exhibits and the oldest standing structure in Aurora (Gully Homestead House, 137 years old), learn about architecture of different time periods, play Aurora Bingo!, view aerial photos of Aurora dating from 1950 and maps dating from 1891, become a city planner and predict the future, and create a newspaper to take home.
$7 per scout, 1 adult per 10 scouts required.
Space is limited. Reserve by May 9.
To register, fill out the registration form and return with payment to the Aurora History Museum.
View Details and Form
For more information, please contact Jennifer Kuehner at 303-739-6667 or jkuehner@auroragov.org.


Guided tours are available for groups of 10 or more. Fees are $2.00 per person for 1-2 activities and $2.50 for 3-4 activities. One adult per 10 children is required. Call Jennifer Kuehner, Education Curator, at 303-739-6667 or email jkuehner@auroragov.org to schedule a guided tour. A confirmation letter and guidelines will be mailed for reservation. Fees payable to the City of Aurora are due at the beginning of the tour. Adult chaperones for groups are free. There is no charge for self-guided tours.
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Themed birthday parties for 6-12 year olds are available at the Museum. To arrange for a birthday party at the Museum call Jennifer Kuehner, Education Curator, at 303-739-6667 or email jkuehner@auroragov.org at least two weeks in advance to schedule. A personalized cake, ice cream, punch, decorations, plates, cups and napkins are supplied for the party. Museum hosts will direct the activities for the party package you have chosen. Activities include a craft, playing historical games, and a museum tour. A digital group photo is also included with the party package.
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The Aurora History Museum supports teachers with expertise and programs about Aurora’s rich history. Each activity is designed to meet the needs of multiple grade levels and addresses diverse audiences. Many programs, tours and online resources meet Colorado Model Content Standards for social studies and English. View Details.

 

  

             
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