Aurora marks historic milestones by launching citywide art and history exhibitions
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In 2026, the United States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, while Colorado celebrates 150 years of statehood.
Together, these historic milestones create a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reflect on these rich histories, and what better lens to view them through than that of “The World in A City,” also known as Aurora.
The city of Aurora’s Library and Cultural Services Department, including the Aurora History Museum and Historic Sites and the Art in Public Places Program, will lead a yearlong 150/250 commemoration centering community voices and evoking a sense of statewide pride. These exhibitions and installments will provide multiple opportunities for residents to connect, reflect on the past and envision the future.
“At the heart of this effort is the people of Aurora,” said Ginger White Brunetti, director of Library and Cultural Services. “From multilingual wishes woven into a meaningful public art to exhibitions that honor sacrifice and celebrate cultural heritage, these initiatives reflect who we are as a community and assert that every story has a place in our city’s history.”
Honoring sacrifice: “The Local Cost of Freedom”
From March 10 through July 11, the Aurora History Museum will present “The Local Cost of Freedom: Aurora’s Fallen in the Sesquisemiquincentennial Story.”
This powerful exhibition places Aurora’s fallen servicemembers within the broader arc of American and Colorado history. As the nation and state mark 250 and 150 years, the exhibit offers a solemn reminder that freedom has come at a profound cost — one carried by families and neighbors in our very own community. The exhibit creates space for reflection and remembrance, telling the story of those fallen with impactful stories and artifacts. It connects national milestones to local sacrifice, ensuring that Aurora’s fallen are honored and that their legacies and the lessons learned through them live on.
Multilingual public art piece: “Constellations of Time”
Anchoring Aurora’s 150/250 celebration will be a new public artwork, “Constellations of Time,” by artist Christine Nguyen. The work was selected as the official Sesquisemiquincentennial artwork and will be installed in historic Mission Viejo Park in June of 2026.
The installation will serve as a meditative space. It features five hand-painted stainless-steel sculptures: a hare, wolf, lynx, great dog, an eagle and a buffalo, with a radiant sunflower acting as the sun. Inspired by Colorado wildlife and their corresponding constellations, the pieces bridge earth and what lies beyond, encouraging passersby of all beliefs to pause and reflect in the ways they see fit. In a uniquely community-centered element, Aurora residents were invited to “Make a Wish to the Universe” in their native languages. Those wishes — reflecting the many voices and cultures that call Aurora home — will be incorporated directly into the artwork, creating a permanent time capsule of hope. Nguyen describes the work as one that “embraces our collective past, reflects the present diversity of our neighborhood and imagines a future rooted in unity, joy and shared hopes.”
A Mosaic of Cultures: Aurora’s Filipino Community
Continuing its longstanding commitment to inclusive storytelling, the Aurora History Museum will open “A Mosaic of Cultures: Aurora’s Filipino Community” on April 21. The exhibition runs through April 17, 2027.
The fifth installment in the decade long “A Mosaic of Cultures” series, the exhibition explores the unique history, culture and resilience of Aurora’s Filipino community. Visitors will learn all the ways in which Filipino Americans have been an essential piece of the city’s legacy, including its diverse economy and rich culture.
Regional Partnerships
Aurora’s 150/250 commemoration extends beyond city borders, underscoring the power of collaboration:
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A traveling exhibition proclaiming Aurora’s and Colorado’s Black History in partnership with the Museum of Boulder, Golden History Museum, Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, Greeley History Museum and El Pueblo History Museum (July 14 – Nov. 7, 2026).
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A September 2026 ceremony at Aurora Reservoir unveiling interpretive signage, language and amenities at the Senac Site Local Historic Landmark, developed in partnership with the Northern Arapaho Tribe of Wyoming and the Cheyenne and Southern Tribal Historic Preservation Office recognizing Aurora’s Indigenous history.
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Nomination efforts for Aurora’s recognition as an American World War II Heritage City through the U.S. National Park Service.
These 150/250 initiatives highlight the vital role the Library and Cultural Services Department plays in preserving the city’s legacy and forming its future.
As Aurora joins Colorado and the nation in marking these historic milestones, residents are invited to gather in inspiring spaces and connect with neighbors and strangers alike, joining together in creating a future centered on unity. To learn more, visit AuroraGov.org/Cultural.