Lincoln Memorial Shrine

The Lincoln Memorial Shrine in Redlands, California is a memorial and research center dedicated to the memory of Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States of America. Opened on February 12, 1932, by local philanthropist Robert Watchorn as a monument to his deceased and only son, Emory Ewart Watchorn. The memorial is located at 125 West Vine Street behind the A. K. Smiley Public Library, adjacent the Redlands Bowl and within Smiley Park Historic District. Opened daily from 1PM to 5PM. Except Mondays and majors holidays when its closed.[1] The largest memorabilia collection, memorial and research center dedicated to Abraham Lincoln on the west coast of the United States. Entrance is free. [2]

For other uses of "Lincoln Memorial", see List of memorials to Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln Memorial Shrine
LocationRedlands, California
Coordinates34°03′14″N 117°11′00″W
EstablishedFebruary 12, 1932
Visitors100,000 (in 2019)

History

Robert Watchorn agreed to donated $60,000 on May 6, 1931, for the city to construct the Memorial Shrine, with a pledge by the city to upkeep the museum. The Memorial Shrine was dedicated by the Watchorn family for their only adult surviving son, Emory Watchorn, who died at the age of twenty-five in 1921 due to complications from service as an open-air cockpit pilot in WWI. Years after his death, the Watchorns decided to build the memorial at their winter home in Redlands. A tribute to Lincoln, as Robert and Emory shared a mutual interest in the life of President Lincoln. Designed by Elmer Grey and interior murals created by Dean Cornwell. Designed in an octagonal shape.[3] Whatchorn also donated a bust of Lincoln by George Grey Barnard he acquired in 1922.[4][5]

The Watchorn Lincoln Memorial Association was created.[6] The association along with the city's A.K. Smiley public library hold that pledge to upkeep. They host the Lincoln Dinner Sponsorship fund. The association conducts a dinner as a fundraising event for the Memorial Shrine. The dinner is held at the Orton Center at the University of Redlands yearly. The Memorial Shrine was expanded with two wings in 1998. Tripled the size of museum space. The Memorial Shrine obtained the Watchorn Family Collection papers and portraits in September 2008 for $108,000. Obtains letter and books from the time Watchorn was an immigration commissioner at Ellis Island from 1905 to 1909.[7][8] The current curator is Nathan Gonzalez.[9] Norman Rockwell donated his painting to the memorial shrine in 1945. The Lincoln themed work entitled Thoughts on Peace on Lincoln’s Birthday, is displayed in the west wing of the museum.[2]

During boy scout week, since 1940, several local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts troops march to the Memorial Shrine in honor of Lincoln. Parade is held on Lincoln's Birthday yearly and ends with American Civil War re-enactors and various civil war displays.[10][11]

References
  1. "History". www.lincolnshrine.org.
  2. "The Lincoln Memorial Shrine in Redlands memorializes Honest Abe". Victorville Daily Press.
  3. "Redlands has had a shrine to President Lincoln for 90 years, here's why". February 11, 2022.
  4. "The story behind the Lincoln Shrine in Redlands". September 23, 2008.
  5. "SOCAL MUSEUMS | Lincoln Memorial Shrine".
  6. News, Shari Forbes for the Redlands Community (February 3, 2022). "Statement from the Watchorn Lincoln Memorial Association". Redlands News. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  7. "Lincoln Shrine open house and Lincoln Dinner planned in Redlands in February". January 21, 2023.
  8. "Watchorn collections at home in the Lincoln Memorial Shrine". February 13, 2009.
  9. News, Shari Forbes For the Redlands Community (February 17, 2022). "Watchorn Lincoln Dinner celebrates the enduring legacy of the Great Emancipator". Redlands News. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  10. Collector, Representative (40th District) Jerry Lewis-- (May 18, 2000). "History of the Boy Scout Pilgrimage to the Lincoln Memorial Shrine in Redlands, California". lcweb2.loc.gov.
  11. News, James Folmer Editor Redlands Community (February 9, 2023). "Local Boy Scouts celebrating 50 years of salutes". Redlands News. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
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