From The Illingworth Hoard

An article has come into my hands dated July 15th 1981. Mayor George Timpson and John West are in the background. Dorothy Clark McClure, President of the Aurora Historical Society in the foreground receiving a cheque from a representative of Wimpey Homes.

Nora Hillary was also in the picture receiving a cheque.

The cheques were support for the town museum and the work of the Historical Society at the Hillary House.

"The donations were in response to an ongoing campaign by the society
for funds to complete the two major projects".

        "Mrs Clark-McClure   was quoted ,the society  was beginning to go" over budget " on
          the expenditures.

So there we have it. Still further proof of a continuous  campaign in the community to raise funds for the museum at Church Street School. There was probably some other  major project going on in the building at the time to keep it upright.

Considering there is no  museum in the school after a further $2.3 million of public resources was advanced for that purpose  and still another $700,000 from federal heritage coffers was expended on the building, could  mis-appropriation of funds by person or persons unknown  be assumed ?

How do we accept   $700.000. from another public agency on condition of its use  for a specific purpose , not use it for said purpose and escape an  accusation of misrepresentation or worse ?

And...by the way, a grant shows in the town's account of $50,000. annually, "to the museum"

All those years, the public contributed voluntarily and through taxation to something they believed was
of value to the community.

Then  Poof ! Before our very eyes, without as much as a by-your-leave,  it was snatched away..Apparently by agreement with the Historical Society.

And something not asked for.... never even publicly discussed...... appeared  in its place.