Film Series Returns!
After an 18-month hiatus, A.K. Smiley Public Library’s “Southern California in Film” series returns! Featuring films set in California, the series celebrates the state’s contributions to cinema. From literary adaptations to depictions of historical events, “Southern California in Film” brings together a group of films that showcase the state’s complex past.
Join us for the following film screenings:
September 18 – Stand and Deliver, 1988 (Rated PG)
October 16 – Speed, 1994 (Rated R)
November 20 – Boyz n the Hood, 1991 (Rated R)
December 18 – Die Hard, 1988 (Rated R)
January 15 – Palm Springs Weekend, 1963 (Not Rated)
Not all films are suitable for all audiences. Schedule subject to change.
Films will be screened at 2pm in the Contemporary Club. Screenings are free and open to the public. Registration will open one week prior to screening date. For more information or for assistance with registration, please contact the Heritage Room at (909)798-7632 or heritage@akspl.org.
Shrine To Dedicate New Cannon
Join us on Saturday, August 14th at 10am as the Lincoln Memorial Shine dedicates its new cannon in Smiley Park! Thanks to the generosity of a local family, the Lincoln Shrine now stewards a reproduction Model 1857 Napoleon 12-pounder field gun dated 1864.
The dedication ceremony will include the participation of Civil War reenactors and will feature an artillery demonstration by the 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery who will fire the inaugural shot. The Lincoln Shrine will open to visitors following the program.
Visitors of all ages are welcome. Admission is free. The Lincoln Memorial Shrine is located at 125 W. Vine Street in Smiley Park, directly south of A.K. Smiley Public Library. If you have any questions, call (909)798-7632 or email heritage@akspl.org. You won’t want to miss it!
Redlands Community History Initiative
The Division of Special Collections is excited to announce a new community-wide project! The Redlands Community History Initiative seeks to learn about and preserve the stories of the many communities that made Redlands the city it is today, especially those traditionally left out of the conversation.
Redlands has always been a diverse community. People from all walks of life with varied cultural and ethnic backgrounds made their way to Redlands and the East San Bernardino Valley to set down roots, contributing to the area’s growth and prosperity. From the citrus and dairy industries; to service in homes and businesses; and centers of community – everything from churches to barber shops, all Redlanders left their mark on the city.
The stories of beloved historical figures like Israel Beal, who was born into slavery and made his way west after the Civil War; José Rivera, the city’s first law enforcement officer; and Lulu Nash, a popular housekeeper and caterer, have been well-documented, but what of the thousands of others who called Redlands home? What were their names? Why did they choose Redlands?
You can contribute to the Redlands Community History Initiative by sharing photos, letters, diaries, receipts, artifacts, and oral histories, all of which add to the understanding of the many people who built and sustained Redlands over the years. Whatever was important to you and your family is important for history!
Sharing is easy! You can upload images of photographs and other materials directly to the online submission portal, by email to heritage@akspl.org, or in person with an appointment. Contact the Heritage Room at (909)798-7632 to learn how the Library can help you preserve your family’s legacy in the Redlands area.
Lincoln Shrine Now Open
After a year-long closure, the Lincoln Memorial Shrine has reopened to the public. The current hours of operation are Wednesday – Sunday, 1-4pm.
“Our thoughts go out to all who have lost their lives and whose families have been impacted during this worldwide crisis. As health conditions improve, we look forward to once again creating educational experiences that facilitate interaction with our shared past within the Lincoln Shrine,” remarked Curator Nathan Gonzales. A number of new measures are in place to assure the safest environment possible, including increased sanitation procedures, limited capacity, directional flow for exhibits, and requiring face coverings for all visitors over the age of two.
The Shrine will continue its successful virtual exhibition gallery and history webinar programs in addition to in-person experiences. “One thing we’ve learned through all of this is that the opportunity for teaching about the Civil War and that critical time in history isn’t limited to being physically present at the museum” shared Associate Archivist Maria Carrillo. “Technology allows anyone with an internet connection the opportunity to participate in so many of the things the Shrine has to offer.”
As conditions continue to improve, public hours will increase to four hours per day and include Tuesdays. “But this is a great place to start. We’re so happy to be able to offer our community this wonderful resource once again. A digital representation on a screen is very helpful, but can never replace the thrill of seeing the actual piece of paper Abraham Lincoln signed,” Gonzales said.
For more information, call (909)798-7632 or visit www.lincolnshrine.org.