History
The Aurora Museum & Archives has its origins in the Aurora Historical Society which was founded in 1963. For 50 years the Society developed, preserved and interpreted a collection of over 16,000 objects. Known as the Aurora Collection, it includes artifacts, photographs, textiles, books and documents spanning the period from 500 BC to present day.
In 2013, the Aurora Collection was transferred to the Town of Aurora and the Town’s first curator was hired in December 2014. The Aurora Collection was re-branded in 2015 as the Aurora Museum & Archives and is part of the Community Services Department of the Town of Aurora.
Logo for the Town of Aurora
Mission & Mandate
The Mission of the Aurora Museum & Archives is to serve as a repository for the collective stories and experiences of the Town of Aurora. We are committed to preserving, promoting and presenting the vibrant and ever changing character of the Town by making our collection accessible and available.
The mandate of the Aurora Museum & Archives is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and share material that has a meaningful connection to the Town of Aurora and serves to document its evolving history.
Land acknowledgment
We acknowledge that the land on which we operate is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe,  the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat  peoples, whose presence here continues to this day. Aurora is part of Treaty #13 (Toronto Purchase) and the Williams Treaties, the traditional treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Williams Treaties First Nations and we acknowledge them, specifically the Chippewas of Georgina Island as our closest Indigenous community.
We respect the rich cultural heritage that has existed in this place for centuries.
We acknowledge this land and the people who have been here for time immemorial, because the first step to reconciliation is recognizing the existence of Indigenous people. A shared understanding of how our collective past brought us to where we are today, will help us walk together into a better future.
Hours

During the construction of Aurora Town Square, the Aurora Museum & Archives is operating out of Town Hall.

Please email mjohnson@aurora.ca for more information about access to the collection.

To explore our online exhibitions, click here

Location
22 Church Street, Aurora, ON L4G 1G4
Contact
A sepia-coloured photograph of an ornately trimmed stone school building with stairs leading to large double doors and a cupola on the roof, a small group of students are standing on the stairs and around the building.

Michelle Johnson

Collections & Exhibitions Coordinator

mjohnson@aurora.ca

A museum exhibit inside a wooden-floored room with high windows, the panel facing has an ink image of a 19th century woman, with maps and artifacts on other panels and against the walls.
Research Requests
Working on a history project or doing some family research? Drop us a line, and we’ll try to help!

Donations

While we are actively collecting photographs and objects that have a direct connection to Aurora, we can’t take everything! Please contact us if you feel that you have an item that we should consider.

 
We acknowledge that in Aurora we are on the traditional territory of the Chippewas of Georgina Island, who are Anishinaabe peoples, and one of the First Nations reserves in Ontario.  We are grateful to them for sharing their lands with us.
An abstract logo with two s-curves mirrored.
 © 2022 Town of Aurora, 100 John West Way, Box 1000, Aurora ON L4G 6J1
Designed by the Aurora Heritage authority