GAR Museum and Historical Society Find Distinct Items in Time Capsule
Published on August 25, 2026
The City of Aurora’s Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Military Museum, in partnership with the Aurora Historical Society, hosted an event on Saturday, August 22, to unseal a 100-plus-year-old time capsule.
The Masonic Temple Time Capsule was found just before the emergency demolition of the historic Lincoln Masonic Temple, which took place in 2019 following a massive three-alarm fire. The structure was erected between 1921 and 1924 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The building later operated as a banquet hall before becoming vacant in 2006. The time capsule is estimated to be from 1921 through 1924, as the building’s cornerstone was laid in 1921.
15 distinct items were found inside of the time capsule, including a blueprint of the 1922 Lincoln Masonic Lodge, a small silk American flag, 10 photographs of the officials of the various masonic organizations involved with the planning and construction of the Lincoln Masonic Lodge, a photograph of the architect of the building, Mr. William Q. Bendus, an Aurora Beacon-News article from the day before the cornerstone laying, which was September 8, 1922, an Aurora Star article from the day of the cornerstone laying, which was September 9, 1922, a trust agreement for the Lincoln Masonic Lodge, a Book of Constitution and Bylaws of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois from 1920, the bylaws and roster of the Aurora Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, the bylaws of the Jerusalem Temple Masonic Lodge #90 from 1897, Myer’s Tactics book from 1884, the bylaws of the Jerusalem Temple Masonic Lodge #90 from 1922, the bylaws of the Aurora Lodge #254 of the Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons from 1920, and a Masonic Bible.
“The unsealing of the time capsule was a monumental occasion for the G.A.R. Museum, the Aurora Historical Society, and the City of Aurora,” Museum Director Eric Pry said. “It was amazing to see such a large number of historical artifacts in excellent condition. We look forward to displaying the items to the public in the months to come.”