What is Civic Season?
Civic Season is a new tradition for self-discovery and civic upskilling, co-created by Gen Z and cultural institutions. Between Juneteenth and Independence Day, discover your story and how you'll power our democracy, aided by a vast array of credible, relevant sources. Civic Season is the flagship program from Made By Us, a network of hundreds of museums, historic sites, libraries and archives unleashing access to history for younger generations who have the most at stake.
This summer over 500 communities will take part with events like film screenings, picnics, pizza parties, videos about history, holiday celebrations and more.
Aurora History Museum Events:
Events are at the museum and free unless otherwise noted in the description.
Vote to Shape the Museum
June 19 - July 4
Which past exhibit deserves more time on our walls? What should we name our heroic new dehumidifier? Make your voice heard at AHM!
DeLaney Historic District Cleanup and Open Day
Saturday June 29, 9:00 – 1:00
Make a change in your community and learn about it at the same time. Tour some of Aurora’s oldest buildings, the Gully house and the Round Barn and join us in cleaning up the historic site. Whether you want to improve your community, learn about local history or just take a walk, this is the event for you! Cleaning supplies and snacks provided by the High Line Canal Conservancy.
No Registration required. Delaney Historic District: 170 S Chambers Road.
Open Day at Centennial House
Sunday, June 30, 9:00 a.m. - Noon
Learn about Aurora’s founding and the architecture of the Original Aurora neighborhood in Aurora’s own Centennial House. This Queen Anne style home was built in 1891 when Donald Fletcher was founding the town we now call Aurora. Architectural tours of the neighborhood will be led by Historic Preservation Specialist Chris Geddes.
Centennial House: 1671 Galena St.
Legendary Ladies of Colorado
Saturday, June 22, 5 – 6 p.m.
The Legendary Ladies are back! The costumed researchers will return on June 22 to portray four women from Western history. Learn about Maude Nelson, inductee into the Women’s Baseball Hall of Fame, Juana Navarro Alsbury, survivor of the Battle of the Alamo, Jessie Benton Fremont, adventurer, author, and wife of John C. Fremont, and Josie Bassett, moonshiner, rustler, and homesteader.
Purchase tickets. $5 per person.
The Colorado Freedom Memorial
Wednesday, June 26, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Did you know Colorado’s Freedom Memorial is right here in Aurora? Former radio personality Rick Crandall spearheaded the effort to create a place for family and friends to find peace in the memory of lost loved ones and educate all Americans on the loss we share in the name of freedom. Rick will join us to discuss the memorial in our exhibit, “80 Years Later: Aurora Remembers D-Day.”
The Smoky Hill Trail Presentation at Mission Viejo Library
Saturday, June 29, 3 – 4 p.m.
Join us at your local library to learn about the adventure, hardship and excitement of the Smoky Hill Trail, one of the major routes that people used to travel from the East Coast to Colorado in the 1800s.
Mission Viejo Library, 15324 E Hampden Circle
Watch Fireworks and Visit the Museum
Thursday, July 4, 5 - 8 p.m.
Visit us during special hours on Independence Day. Aurora History Museum will open between 5 and 8 p.m. so you can learn about the city's history, vote on our exhibit and explore the landmark, Trolley Trailer 610.