Special Collections
The Division of Special Collections is as diverse as the history of California itself and seeks to serve a variety of interests: researchers, students, writers & the casual visitor. The primary collections focus upon themes, events, and individuals who contributed to the ongoing history of Redlands and Southern California. In addition to California-related collections, the division also stewards the Abraham Lincoln and Civil War collections of the Lincoln Memorial Shrine.
Learn about volunteer and internship opportunities.
Research Center
Hours of Operation
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Thursday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Friday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Saturday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Closed for lunch 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Civil War Museum
Hours of Operation
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
| Thursday | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
| Friday | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
| Saturday | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
| Sunday | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
Closed major holidays. Always open Presidents’ Day and Lincoln’s birthday
You can make donations to the Division of Special Collections for the Archives, Museum of Redlands, and Lincoln Memorial Shrine. We collect objects, photographs, newspapers, business records, memorabilia, and anything that relates to Redlands, Abraham Lincoln, or the American Civil War.
Monetary donations are always appreciated to aid in the preservation of our collections! Contact Special Collections staff for further information.
Call (909) 798-7632
Email heritage@akspl.org
Archivist & Curator
Collections Manager
Collections Specialist
Administrative Assistant
Nathan D. Gonzales, PhD
Maria Carrillo Colato
Katie Montemayor
Reina Estrada
Redlands Community History Initiative
The Redlands Community History Initiative seeks to preserve the stories of the many communities that made Redlands the city it is today, especially those traditionally left out of the conversation. From the citrus and dairy industries; to service in homes and businesses; and centers of community – everything from churches to barber shops, Redlanders left their mark on the city and contributed to the area’s growth and prosperity.
Do you want to document your family’s history? 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.
Sharing is easy! You can upload images of photographs and other materials directly to the online submission portal, send them by email, or donate them in person. Contact the Heritage Room to learn how the Library can help you preserve your family’s legacy in the Redlands area.
Special Collections on YouTube
Did you know the Division of Special Collections is on YouTube? Check out past webinars, special events, historic film, and much more! Presented by Smiley Library staff and a few special guests, webinars focused on topics related to the treasures of the Special Collections Division, including the histories of Redlands, California, Abraham Lincoln, and the Civil War.
Home Movie Preservation Project
Do you have any home movies of life in Redlands “hiding in a cupboard, dresser, closet or garage”? Consider participating in the Home Movie Preservation Project, which seeks to document Redlands’s past as preserved in 8mm, 16mm and Super 8 home movies.
Thanks to a generous donation to A.K. Smiley Public Library, Special Collections is able to digitize home movies using cutting edge technology to preserve them as part of the City’s historical record. The sophisticated equipment, operated by Heritage Room staff, reads each frame of 8mm, Super 8, and 16mm home movies, preserving it as digital files. Digitization efforts have uncovered the rich record of parades, civic life, development, and day-to-day life in Redlands preserved in film.
Are you interested in participating or want more information? Contact the Heritage Room via phone or email. Original home movies can be returned after they are digitized, or donated to the collection.
