The Lincoln Memorial Shrine

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The Lincoln Memorial Shrine

The Lincoln Memorial Shrine - a museum/research facility dedicated to Abraham Lincoln & the Civil War Admission to The Lincoln Memorial Shrine is free.

The Lincoln Memorial Shrine is open
Tuesday through Sunday from 1-5 pm. History of the Shrine
The Lincoln Memorial Shrine was originally designed in an octagon shape by noted Southern California architect Elmer Grey in 1932. The construction of reinforced concrete was faced with Bedford Indiana limestone plates upon which are inscribed excerpts from Lincoln's speeches. Although the original plan

called for 75-foot long patio wings to extend from each side of the Shrine, complete with fountains, benches, and additional inscriptions, it was not until 1937 that these areas were added. The additions were crafted from the same material used in the octagon with the Indiana limestone selected to match before leaving the quarry. As originally planned, these patio areas featured additional excerpts from Lincoln's speeches inscribed into the walls and fountains designed by noted American sculptor Merrill Gage. Robert Watchorn had always desired to expand his facility, but the lingering effects of the Great Depression followed by the start of World War II caused him to postpone his plans. In 1944 Watchorn passed away his dreams unfulfilled. On February 12, 1998, Watchorn's desire for an enlarged facility was realized when the newly expanded Shrine was rededicated. After four and a half years of fundraising two new wings were added to the original octagon where the patio areas had been located. The design called for moving the fountain and pool areas forward. Careful removal and repositioning of the limestone panels and the selection of new materials have created a harmonious blend of new wings with the original octagon. The interior of the Shrine features bookcases from Circassian walnut in the original octagon. The woodwork in the new wings was chosen to complement the original furnishings.

07/30/2026

America 250 – Liberty’s Legacy: Celebrating 250 Years of Independence

The Watchorn Lincoln Memorial Association invites you to a special two-day program commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence that will explore the enduring ideals of liberty, equality, and democracy. For more information, visit www.lincolnshrine.org/america250/.

📅 Day 1 – Tuesday, September 29, 2026 | 7:00 PM
📍 University of Redlands (final location to be determined)
Keynote Address: Jon Meacham
Join Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and bestselling author Jon Meacham as he explores the founding ideals of the Declaration of Independence and their lasting impact on American history.

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. To register, visit www.lincolnshrine.org/america250/meacham/.

📅 Day 2 – Wednesday, September 30, 2026 | 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
📍 University of Redlands, Orton Center

Symposium: “Impact of the Declaration of Independence on President Abraham Lincoln’s Perspectives on Liberty and Slavery”

Spend the day with five distinguished scholars examining how the Declaration shaped Abraham Lincoln’s understanding of liberty, equality, and the nation’s struggle over slavery.

The fee for attending the symposium is $125.00 per person. The fee includes lunch and closing reception at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine, fostering meaningful discussions and connections among attendees. The symposium program starts at 9:00 am and ends at 6:00 pm. Registration is required. Deadline to register is Tuesday, September 15 or when sold out. To register, visit www.lincolnshrine.org/america250/symposium-2026/.

Celebrate 250 years of American history and reflect on the principles that continue to shape our nation.

🔗 Registration required. Learn more and reserve your place today!

07/24/2026

🎉 Boom! The Lincoln Memorial Shrine’s reproduction cannon comes to life! 💥

Join us Saturday, August 29 at 10 a.m. in Smiley Park for the anniversary celebration of the Lincoln Memorial Shrine’s reproduction Civil War cannon.

Enjoy:
💥 A live cannon firing demonstration
🪖 Civil War artillery history presented by members of the 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery
🎩 A special appearance by Abraham Lincoln presenter Robert Broski

After the program, explore three fascinating exhibits:
📜 “...That All Men Are Created Equal: Slavery in America” at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine
🇺🇸 “Becoming the United States: Colonial America to Reconstruction” at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine
⭐ “American Revolution Experience” at the Assembly Room of A.K. Smiley Public Library

🎟️ Free and open to the public! Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the morning. (Please leave large umbrellas at home.)

📍 Lincoln Memorial Shrine, 125 W. Vine St., Redlands

For more information, visit lincolnshrine.org or call the Heritage Room at (909) 798-7632.

FreeEvent AKSmileyLibrary InlandEmpireEvents AmericanHistory

07/06/2026

America 250 – Liberty’s Legacy: Celebrating 250 Years of Independence

The Watchorn Lincoln Memorial Association invites you to a special two-day program commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence that will explore the enduring ideals of liberty, equality, and democracy. For more information, visit www.lincolnshrine.org/america250/.

📅 Day 1 – Tuesday, September 29, 2026 | 7:00 PM
📍 University of Redlands, Memorial Chapel

Keynote Address: Jon Meacham
Join Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and bestselling author Jon Meacham as he explores the founding ideals of the Declaration of Independence and their lasting impact on American history.

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. To register, visit www.lincolnshrine.org/america250/meacham/.

📅 Day 2 – Wednesday, September 30, 2026 | 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
📍 University of Redlands, Orton Center

Symposium: “Impact of the Declaration of Independence on President Abraham Lincoln’s Perspectives on Liberty and Slavery”

Spend the day with five distinguished scholars examining how the Declaration shaped Abraham Lincoln’s understanding of liberty, equality, and the nation’s struggle over slavery.

The fee for attending the symposium is $125.00 per person. The fee includes lunch and closing reception at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine, fostering meaningful discussions and connections among attendees. The symposium program starts at 9:00 am and ends at 6:00 pm. Registration is required. Deadline to register is Tuesday, September 15 or when sold out. To register, visit www.lincolnshrine.org/america250/symposium-2026/.

Celebrate 250 years of American history and reflect on the principles that continue to shape our nation.

🔗 Registration required. Learn more and reserve your place today!

07/02/2026

Don’t Miss A New Tribute to the Lincoln Shrine!

Join the Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival for a night of star-spangled patriotic pops, featuring the world premiere of Nolan & Jason Livesay’s, “A JUST AND LASTING PEACE - A Tribute to the Lincoln Memorial Shrine”.

When: Friday, July 3, 8PM
Where: Redlands Bowl

06/10/2026

Experience History- At the Lincoln Memorial Shrine in Redlands, CA.

HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday Closed
Tuesday 1pm - 5pm
Wednesday 1pm - 5pm
Thursday 1pm - 5pm
Friday 1pm - 5pm
Saturday 1pm - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Closed major holidays

Learn more at
www.lincolnshrine.org

03/11/2026

Celebrate Women’s History Month with us at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine! 🌟

Join us on Saturday, March 28 at 11am for a special presentation by historian Louisa Brandt: “Improving Californian Respectability: Women’s Participation in the Civil War from the Golden State.” The program will take place in the Assembly Room at A.K. Smiley Public Library and on Zoom.

Brandt will explore how women played a vital role in California’s involvement in the Civil War—even in a state where men outnumbered women two to one. Their efforts helped shape political causes and transform California’s reputation from Gold Rush excess to a state engaged with national affairs.

📍 125 W. Vine Street, Redlands
💻 Join on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88443917575?pwd=VZ3AM11kMtUXJmmRKVvwOdXCshbxVP.1
🎟 Free and open to the public (no registration required)

Questions? Call (909) 798-7632 or email [email protected].
Visit www.lincolnshrine.org for updates.

03/02/2026

In the early 1800s, as printing technology expanded and cities grew, women’s magazines rose right alongside a new middle class. What began as poetry, fashion plates (swipe to see an example!), and household advice quickly became one of the most powerful forces in publishing — with women making up as much as 80% of readers by mid-century.

Publications like Peterson’s Magazine, founded in 1842, competed with popular titles like Godey’s Lady’s Book, offering fashion, fiction, recipes, and advice to a growing female audience. Though many early periodicals were written by men to define women’s “proper” roles, women soon claimed space within their pages.

Editors like Ann S. Stephens used these platforms to connect with readers and build careers — carving out financial and public independence at a time when women were expected to remain rooted in the domestic sphere.
Long before suffrage was won, women were already shaping culture, conversation, and commerce — one printed page at a time. 📖🖋️

🏷️

02/14/2026

Commemorate Presidents' Day at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine! In observance of the holiday, the museum will open 1-5pm all Presidents' Day weekend. Visit www.lincolnshrine.org for additional information.

02/13/2026

Museums Free-For-All is Back on February 22

For the third year in a row, the Lincoln Memorial Shrine is proud to participate in SoCal Museums’ Museums Free-for-All on Saturday, February 22! As an affiliate of SoCal Museums since 2022, we’re excited to join more than two dozen museums and cultural centers across Southern California in celebrating free access to arts and culture.

Enjoy a day dedicated to discovering new favorites, revisiting beloved institutions, and experiencing the incredible cultural diversity of our region — all at no cost.

📍 Lincoln Memorial Shrine
125 W. Vine Street (just south of A.K. Smiley Public Library)
🕐 Open Tuesday–Sunday, 1–5pm
🎟️ Always free (donations appreciated!)

🔗 See all participating museums at socalmuseums.net/free-days
📲 Learn more at lincolnshrine.org

📸 Visiting us during the Free-for-All? Tag and with — we’d love to see your photos!

Address

125 W Vine Street
Redlands, CA
92373

Opening Hours

Tuesday	1pm - 5pm
Wednesday	1pm - 5pm
Thursday	1pm - 5pm
Friday	1pm - 5pm
Saturday	1pm - 5pm
Sunday	1pm - 5pm

Telephone

+19097987636

Website

http://www.lincolnshrine.org/

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