Lincoln's Loyal Friends

If you are a local who hasn't had the opportunity to meet the director of the A.K. Smiley Public Library, who also serves on the board of directors of the Redlands Community Foundation, and the National Lincoln Forum, and a member of the Noon Kiwanis Club, meet Don McCue. He holds the keys to Lincoln’s legacy right here in Redlands. With Feb. 12, Lincoln’s birthday, right around the bend, McCue, a man who wears many hats is constantly sought after for many local historical projects, especially those highlighting Lincoln. McCue is currently participating in the early fundraising stage of the future Redlands Historical Museum. Before all of this, McCue studied history and foreign policy and earned his masters in Washington D.C. at Johns Hopkins University where he visited many museums open to the public. Studying in Virginia meant that many of the Civil War battlegrounds where only a few hours away, which he shares he would often frequent. Once while overlooking the battlefield of Antietam he wondered to himself and questioned the tactics used at Burnsides Bridge during the Civil War battle, “Why didn’t they cross the creek and why did they waste time trying to take the bridge.” So he and a friend took this question into their own hands and attempted to cross the creek to find out for themselves. His life-long hands-on approach to history caught the eye of others and led him to his current role as the library director and archivist curator of the A.K. Smiley Library, which he has held for 30 years. Turning learning tangible is a tradition he has used to portray many of the pieces within the shrine to attending museum guests. This insightful learning experience aided by the efforts of McCue draw you in, “The deeper you get, learning about that time period, about Abraham Lincoln the more there is to admire. There is a reason why people from both the left and the right cite him.” The ideals of Lincoln are a unifying construct that has resonated and influenced many over the years, one such individual in particular was Robert Watchorn. Robert Watchorn was a poor immigrant coal miner in Pennsylvania who worked his way to better. Like Lincoln, he had a thirst for knowledge despite being denied a formal education and worked hard to climb his way to more favorable circumstances. When Roberts son, Ewart, died from his injuries after World War I, the Watchorns donated the Lincoln Memorial Shrine in his memory. Robert Watchorn was inspired by Lincoln and summed up his sentiments by saying, “His is one of the finest spirits that ever came into the world… and he turned the currents of freedom into the souls of millions of fellow men.” Books encased in walnut bookcases line the walls with topics on the Civil War and Reconstruction to Abraham Lincoln himself. McCue states, “He’s the quintessential American. I’ve always thought this is a pretty special country. We’re lucky to live here. This experiment in Democracy, this experiment to rule itself rather than being a monarchy.” To rule itself, to be the master of one's own self, to be free to make life what you want it to be. Like McCue, Watchorn, and Lincoln, all pivotal characters whose choices affect those around them in the community of Redlands. The Lincoln Memorial Shrine stands as a symbol of fortitude of character, the preservation of our history, and inspiration for the future. A house divided cannot stand, but a connected community can. Experience it for yourself at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine. Maybe you’ll be lucky and meet the living legend himself, Don McCue.