Museum Guide

The American GI Museum is located in College Station, Texas and is a tribute to the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. It's a place where visitors can learn about the history of American military involvement, from World War I all the way to the present day. The museum features exhibits that showcase uniforms, equipment, vehicles, and personal artifacts from various conflicts, providing insight into the experiences of soldiers throughout history. The Museum highlights a unique collection of military vehicles from various periods and its collection is fully functional.  Each vehicle has been meticulously restored to its original condition so that it both looks and runs just like it did when it first came off the assembly line.  The museum’s insistence on maintaining such a well restored collection comes from its mission of educating future generations.  At the museum’s annual “Living History Weekend” the public is invited to come experience the rumble of tanks, the whine of engines, the shots of small arms fire, and the blasts of tank and artillery cannons with impressive pyrotechnics simulating authentic firing. We also have an amazing collection of original World War II posters. We are very proud to be able to preserve these pieces of our nation’s past! Each poster tells a different story and holds a significant message. It's a great destination for both history enthusiasts, families and those with a connection to the military. Located in College Station, Texas the museum is part of a vibrant cultural, academic and recreational setting in the city. Come visit us, as well as enjoy all that College Station, TX has to offer! Hours:  Wednesday – Saturday: 10AM – 5PM and Sunday: 12PM – 5PM"Group tours by appointment: Wednesday - Friday" Located: 19124 Highway 6 South College Station, Texas - 979-690-0501 https://americangimuseum.org/

Two hundred years after his birth, the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln continues to fascinate and inspire. Born into poverty on the edge of an untamed frontier, his rise from obscurity to greatness has become a symbol of the universal hope that we can all improve our circumstances in life. In 1932 The History of the Lincoln Memorial Shrine in Redlands, CA began! It was gifted by Robert and Alma Watchorn. The Lincoln Memorial Shrine was originally designed in an octagon shape by noted Southern California architect Elmer Grey. The construction of reinforced concrete was faced with Bedford Indiana limestone plates upon which are inscribed excerpts from Lincoln’s speeches. Today you can come see the newest exhibition, “Imitative Lincoln: Art Derived from Photographs.” Focusing on the ways artists have recreated Lincoln’s likeness from the photographs he sat for in his life, the exhibit will include a wide range of artistic techniques, from 19th century engravings to modern day mosaics, demonstrating how Lincoln has inspired artists over time. There is a Civil War photo album donated by a local family a few years ago that came with an interesting story. Featuring more than two dozen men of the 21st Connecticut Infantry regiment, the album was created by the regiment’s Captain E. Perry Packer. Captain Packer and his family moved to Santa Monica, California in the 1870s and assumed new identities. Why did they make such a drastic move? Who were the men included in the photo album?Come visit us and find out! Are you on the calendar committee for your group or organization? Do you need a history outing for your school group? Book your tour at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine! The Shrine offers guided tours for groups of 12 or more adults or school aged children, Tuesdays – Saturdays from 9:30am to Noon (parents and chaperones excluded from total for school tours).  Come visit us soon!  https://www.lincolnshrine.org/    

Did you know that the only museum and research center dedicated to Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War west of the Mississippi River is located in Redlands, California?  The Lincoln Memorial Shrine was made possible by the philanthropy of Robert and Alma Watchorn in 1932. Since its inception, the Shrine has become a leading institution for the study of Lincoln and the Civil War on the west coast.  Thousands of letters and diaries written by those involved in the national crisis have been collected, as well as artwork and artifacts.  In addition to the over five dozen documents written or signed by Abraham Lincoln and a variety of artifacts that help tell the story of the Civil War, a Carrara marble bust of Lincoln by sculptor George Gray Barnard is the centerpiece of the museum. Numerous events are held at the Shrine each year. From presentations by noted historians to Civil War Christmas Carols, the largest event is the annual Open House, which will take place on Saturday, February 3, 2024, 11am-3pm at the Lincoln Shrine. The Open House features exhibitions, live music, artillery and cavalry demonstrations, and an appearance by President Lincoln himself! For more information and additional events, visit www.lincolnshrine.org. The Lincoln Memorial Shrine is open Tuesday-Sunday, 1-5pm and closed major holidays, but is always open on February 12th, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.  For more information, Lincoln Dinner reservations, or to schedule group tours, please contact the Shrine at (909) 798-7632 or email heritage@akspl.org.