NPS Photo Lincoln Speech Memorial Finding Aid01a. An Act to Establish a National Military Park at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, page 1: 2/11/1895: The 1895 Congressional legislation creating Gettysburg National Military Park, page 1. 01b. An Act to Establish a National Military Park at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, page 2: 2/11/1895: The 1895 Congressional legislation creating Gettysburg National Military Park, page 2. 02: Excerpt from Letter Inviting Abraham Lincoln to Speak at Gettysburg, n.d.: Excerpt from telegraph sent by David Wills to President Lincoln inviting him to speak at November 19, 1863, dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. 03. Map of the U.S. National Cemetery Showing the Position of Batteries July 2nd and 3rd, 1863, n.d. Map showing the layout of the Gettysburg National Cemetery including the positions of various U.S. artillery batteries on Cemetery Hill during the battle. 04a. Letter from John M. Wilson to John P. Nicholson, 8/6/1895, page 1: August 6, 1895 letter from Colonel John M. Wilson to John P. Nicholson introducing himself and his assignment to take charge of construction of Lincoln Speech Memorial, page 1. 04b. Letter from John M. Wilson to John P. Nicholson, 8/6/1895, page 2: August 6, 1895 letter from Colonel John M. Wilson to John P. Nicholson introducing himself and his assignment to take charge of construction of Lincoln Speech Memorial, page 2. 05a. Letter from John M. Wilson to John P. Nicholson, 8/9/1895, page 1: August 9, 1895, letter from Colonel John M. Wilson to John P. Nicholson pledging cooperation with Gettysburg Park Commissioners and next steps in Lincoln Speech Memorial project, page 1. 05b. Letter from John M. Wilson to John P. Nicholson, 8/9/1895, page 2: August 9, 1895, letter from Colonel John M. Wilson to John P. Nicholson pledging cooperation with Gettysburg Park Commissioners and next steps in Lincoln Speech Memorial project, page 2. 06. Letter from E.T. Concklin to John P. Nicholson, 8/17/1895: August 17, 1895, letter from E.T. Concklin to John P. Nicholson acknowledging receipt of invitation for Colonel John M. Wilson to visit Gettysburg before taking any steps regarding Lincoln Speech Memorial. 07a. Letter from John M. Wilson to John P. Nicholson, 8/30/1895: August 30, 1895, letter from John M. Wilson to John P. Nicholson stating his intention to visit Gettysburg as well as next steps in construction of Lincoln Speech Memorial. 07b. Letter from John M. Wilson to John P. Nicholson, 11/15/1895: November 15, 1895, letter from John M. Wilson to John P. Nicholson acknowledging receipt of letter from Nicholson pertaining to potential Lincoln Speech Memorial designs. 08. Text from Gettysburg Compiler Article, 10/1/1895: Typewritten copy of a news article published in the October 1, 1895, edition of the Gettysburg Compiler announcing plan to build Lincoln Speech Memorial and probable location. 09a.Letter from John M. Wilson to John P. Nicholson, 10/25/1895, page 1: October 25, 1895, letter from John M. Wilson to John P. Nicholson suggesting the best location for Lincoln Speech Memorial would be where Lincoln delivered the speech and questioning if National Cemetery is part of the National Military Park, page 1. 09b. Letter from John M. Wilson to John P. Nicholson, 10/25/1895, page 2: October 25, 1895, letter from John M. Wilson to John P. Nicholson suggesting the best location for Lincoln Speech Memorial would be where Lincoln delivered the speech and questioning if National Cemetery is part of the National Military Park, page 2. 10a. Lincoln Speech Memorial Specifications by John M. Wilson, 1895, page 1: Cover page for Lincoln Speech Memorial specifications. 10b. Lincoln Speech Memorial Specifications by John M. Wilson, 1895, page 2: Specifications for Lincoln Speech Memorial, page 2, including advertisement for monument design proposals. 10c. Lincoln Speech Memorial Specifications by John M. Wilson, 1895, page 3: Specifications for Lincoln Speech Memorial, page 3, including text from legislation calling for such a Memorial. 10d. Lincoln Speech Memorial Specifications by John M. Wilson, 1895, page 4: Specifications for Lincoln Speech Memorial, page 4, including character of work and funds available for such a project. 10e. Lincoln Speech Memorial Specifications by John M. Wilson, 1895, page 5: Specifications for Lincoln Speech Memorial, page 5, including information on submitting proposals and the award of contract. 10f. Lincoln Speech Memorial Specifications by John M. Wilson, 1895, page 6: Specifications for Lincoln Speech Memorial, page 6. 11a. Letter from John P. Nicholson to John M. Wilson, 11/14/1895, page 1: November 14, 1895, letter from John P. Nicholson to John M. Wilson urging Wilson not to accept any of the designs he had envisioned for the Lincoln Speech Memorial and reasons why, page 1. 11b. Letter from John P. Nicholson to John M. Wilson, 11/14/1895, page 2: November 14, 1895, letter from John P. Nicholson to John M. Wilson urging Wilson not to accept any of the designs he had envisioned for the Lincoln Speech Memorial and reasons why, page 2. 12a. Letter from John M. Wilson to William P. Craighead, 11/26/1895, page 1: November 26, 1895, letter from John M. Wilson to William Craighead submitting an abstract of proposals for Lincoln Speech Memorial with recommendations they all be rejected as submitted and some should be re-submitted, page 1. 12b. Letter from John M. Wilson to William P. Craighead, 11/26/1895, page 2: November 26, 1895, letter from John M. Wilson to William Craighead submitting an abstract of proposals for Lincoln Speech Memorial with recommendations they all be rejected as submitted and some should be re-submitted, page 2. 13a. Letter from John M. Wilson to William P. Craighead, 11/26/1895, page 1: Copy of November 26, 1895, letter from John M. Wilson to William Craighead submitting an abstract of proposals for Lincoln Speech Memorial with recommendations they all be rejected as submitted and some should be re-submitted, page 1. 13b. Letter from John M. Wilson to William P. Craighead, 11/26/1895, page 2: Copy of November 26, 1895, letter from John M. Wilson to William Craighead submitting an abstract of proposals for Lincoln Speech Memorial with recommendations they all be rejected as submitted and some should be re-submitted, page 2. 14. Letter from John M. Wilson to D.S. Lamont, 2/29/1896: Typewritten February 29, 1896, letter from John M. Wilson to Secretary of War Daniel Lamont inquiring about selection of site for Lincoln Speech Memorial. 15. Letter from John M. Wilson to D.S. Lamont, 2/29/1896: Handwritten February 29, 1896, letter from John M. Wilson to Secretary of War Daniel Lamont inquiring about selection of site for Lincoln Speech Memorial. 16a. Abstract of Proposals for Bronze Lincoln Speech Tablet, page 1: Abstract of proposals submitted for bronze tablet with names and bidders and amount, page 1. 16b. Abstract of Proposals for Bronze Lincoln Speech Tablet, page 2: Abstract of proposals submitted for bronze tablet with names and bidders and amount, page 2. 16c. Abstract of Proposals for Bronze Lincoln Speech Tablet, page 3: Abstract of proposals submitted for bronze tablet with names and bidders and amount, page 3. 17. Letter to John P. Nicholson, 3/23/1896: March 23, 1896, letter to John P. Nicholson from unknown individual regarding location of Lincoln Speech Memorial. 18a. Letter from Gettysburg Commissioners to Daniel S. Lamont, page 1: Typed copy of letter from Gettysburg Commissioner to Secretary of War Daniel S. Lamont expressing their inability to decide upon location for Lincoln Speech Memorial and the difficulties in selecting a suitable location. 18b. Letter from Gettysburg Commissioners to Daniel S. Lamont, page 2: Page 1 of handwritten letter from Gettysburg Commissioner to Secretary of War Daniel S. Lamont expressing their inability to decide upon location for Lincoln Speech Memorial and the difficulties in selecting a suitable location. 18c. Letter from Gettysburg Commissioners to Daniel S. Lamont, page 3: Page 2 of handwritten letter from Gettysburg Commissioner to Secretary of War Daniel S. Lamont expressing their inability to decide upon location for Lincoln Speech Memorial and the difficulties in selecting a suitable location. 18d. Letter from Gettysburg Commissioners to Daniel S. Lamont, page 4: Page 3 of handwritten letter from Gettysburg Commissioner to Secretary of War Daniel S. Lamont expressing their inability to decide upon location for Lincoln Speech Memorial and the difficulties in selecting a suitable location. 19a. Letter from Theo. A. Bingham to John P. Nicholson, 3/6/1903, page 1: March 6, 1903, letter from Theo. Bingham to John P. Nicholson transmitting various papers and reports pertaining to the Lincoln Speech Memorial, page 1. 19b. Letter from Theo. A Bingham to John P. Nicholson, 3/6/1903, page 2: March 6, 1903, letter from Theo. Bingham to John P. Nicholson transmitting various papers and reports pertaining to the Lincoln Speech Memorial, page 2. 20. Letter from Elihu Root to John P. Nicholson, 8/4/1903: August 4, 1903, letter from Secretary of War Elihu Root to John P. Nicholson directing him to cause a design to be prepared for a bronze tablet containing the Gettysburg Address. 21. Letter from Judge Advocate General’s Office to John P. Nicholson, 10/23/1903: October 23, 1903, letter from Judge Advocate General’s Office to John P. Nicholson regarding what seems to be an “arch” memorial to Lincoln. 22a. Letter from Judge Advocate General’s Office to John P. Nicholson, 10/23/1903, page 1: Copy of October 23, 1903, letter from Judge Advocate General’s Office to John P. Nicholson regarding what seems to be an “arch” memorial to Lincoln. 22b. Letter from Judge Advocate General’s Office to John P. Nicholson, 10/23/1903, page 2: Page 2 of October 23, 1903, letter from Judge Advocate General’s Office to John P. Nicholson regarding what seems to be an “arch” memorial to Lincoln. 23a. Memorandum in Regard to Proposed Lincoln Tablet, page 1: Page 1 of a memorandum regarding activity up to this date and current status of Lincoln Speech Memorial. 23b. Memorandum in Regard to Proposed Lincoln Tablet, page 2: Page 2 of a memorandum regarding activity up to this date and current status of Lincoln Speech Memorial. 24a. Letter from Henry K. Bush Brown to John P. Nicholson, 12/19/1904, page 1: Page 1 of December 19, 1904, letter from artist/sculptor Henry K. Bush-Brown to John Nicholson describing his inspiration for sculpting Lincoln bust on Lincoln Speech Memorial. 24b. Letter from Henry K. Bush Brown to John P. Nicholson, 12/19/1904, page 2: Page 2 of December 19, 1904, letter from artist/sculptor Henry K. Bush-Brown to John Nicholson describing his inspiration for sculpting Lincoln bust on Lincoln Speech Memorial. 25a. Letter from John P. Nicholson to Secretary of War, 10/24/1910, page 1: Page 1 of October 24, 1910, letter from John P. Nicholson to Secretary of War regarding location of Lincoln Speech Memorial, contract with Van Amringe Company for construction, and dispute with landowner of location. 25b. Letter from John P. Nicholson to Secretary of War, 10/24/1910, page 2: Page 2 of October 24, 1910, letter from John P. Nicholson to Secretary of War regarding location of Lincoln Speech Memorial, contract with Van Amringe Company for construction, and dispute with landowner of location. 26a. War Department Correspondence, October 1910, page 1: War Department correspondence from October 1910 regarding location of Lincoln Speech Memorial, page 1. 26b. War Department Correspondence, October 1910, page 2: War Department correspondence from October 1910 regarding location of Lincoln Speech Memorial, page 2. 26c. War Department Correspondence, October 1910, page 3: War Department correspondence from October 1910 regarding location of Lincoln Speech Memorial, page 3. 27a. Memo from H.L. Patton to Captain Humphrey, 10/27/1910, page 1: October 27, 1910, letter from H.L. Patton to Captain Humphrey regarding location of Lincoln Speech Memorial, page 1. 27b. Memo from H.L. Patton to Captain Humphrey, 10/27/1910, page 2: October 27, 1910, letter from H.L. Patton to Captain Humphrey regarding location of Lincoln Speech Memorial, page 2. 28a. Letter from John P. Nicholson to Robert Shaw Oliver, 9/27/1911, page 1: Page 1 of September 27, 1911, letter from John P. Nicholson to Assistant Secretary of War Robert Shaw Oliver regarding location for Lincoln Speech Memorial at Gettysburg. 28b. Letter from John P. Nicholson to Robert Shaw Oliver, 9/27/1911, page 2: Page 2 of September 27, 1911, letter from John P. Nicholson to Assistant Secretary of War Robert Shaw Oliver regarding location for Lincoln Speech Memorial at Gettysburg. 28c. Letter from John P. Nicholson to Robert Shaw Oliver, 9/27/1911, page 3: Page 3 of September 27, 1911, letter from John P. Nicholson to Assistant Secretary of War Robert Shaw Oliver regarding location for Lincoln Speech Memorial at Gettysburg. 29. Letter from John P. Nicholson to Robert Shaw Oliver, 10/14/1911: October 14, 1911, letter from John P. Nicholson to Assistant Secretary of War Robert Shaw Oliver regarding survey of Cemetery grounds and work commenced on Lincoln Speech Memorial. 30. Letter from R.C. Blocksom of the Van Amringe Granite Company to John P. Nicholson, 10/19/1911: October 19, 1911, letter from Van Amringe Company to John P. Nicholson promising to send blueprints of Lincoln Speech Memorial design. 31. Letter from John P. Nicholson to Robert Shaw Oliver, 10/20/1911: October 20, 1911, letter from John Nicholson to Assistant Secretary of War Robert Shaw Oliver inclosing letter from Van Amringe Company. 32. Letter from John P. Nicholson to Robert Shaw Oliver, 10/20/1911: October 20, 1911, letter from John P. Nicholson to Assistant Secretary of War Robert Shaw Oliver inclosing blueprints for the plat for construction of the Lincoln Speech Memorial and expression the Commissioners’ opinion not the remove stone wall around it. 33. Letter from Robert Shaw Oliver, 10/24/1911: October 24, 1911, letter from Assistant Secretary of War Robert Shaw Oliver outlining location and boundaries of Lincoln Speech Memorial. 34. Letter from J.B. Aleshire to John P. Nicholson, 10/25/1911: Letter from Quartermaster General J. B. Aleshire to John P. Nicholson of October 25, 1911, inclosing the metes and bounds of location of Lincoln Speech Memorial. 35. Letter from Robert Shaw Oliver, 10/24/1911: October 24, 1911, letter from Assistant Secretary of War Robert Shaw Oliver removing the location of Lincoln Speech Memorial from control of Quartermaster General and placing under control of Gettysburg National Park Commission. 36. Letter from John P. Nicholson to James B. Aleshire, 10/30/1911: October 30, 1911, letter from John P. Nicholson acknowledging receipt of letter from Quartermaster General’s Office transmitting control of Lincoln Speech Memorial location to Gettysburg National Park Commission. 37. Letter from E.B. Cope to Gettysburg National Park Commission, 11/14/1911: Letter of November 14, 1911, from engineer Emmor B. Cope to Park Commission recognizing error in the submitted plot for the location of the Lincoln Speech Memorial. 38a. Correspondence Pertaining to Lincoln Speech Memorial, 11/17/1911, page 1: Various War Department correspondence from November 1911pertaining to Lincoln Speech Memorial, page 1. 38b. Correspondence Pertaining to Lincoln Speech Memorial, 11/17/1911, page 2: Various War Department correspondence from November 1911pertaining to Lincoln Speech Memorial, page 2. 38c. Correspondence Pertaining to Lincoln Speech Memorial, 11/17/1911, page 3: Various War Department correspondence from November 1911pertaining to Lincoln Speech Memorial, page 3. 39. Letter by Robert Shaw Oliver, 11/20/1911: November 20, 1911, letter by Assistant Secretary of War Robert Shaw Oliver with updated specifications for location of Lincoln Speech Memorial. 40. Letter from E.B. Cope to John P. Nicholson, 3/5/1912: Handwritten letter of March 5, 1912, from engineer Emmor B. Cope to John Nicholson pertaining to the completion of the construction of the Lincoln Speech Memorial. 41. Letter from John P. Nicholson to Robert Shaw Oliver, 3/11/1912: March 11, 1912, letter from John P. Nicholson to Assistant Secretary of War Robert Shaw Oliver announcing completion of the Lincoln Memorial Tablet at Gettysburg. 42. Excerpt from Report of the Gettysburg National Military Park Commission, 1912: Excerpt from the 1912 Report of the Gettysburg National Military Park Commission pertaining to the construction of the Lincoln Speech Memorial. 43. Letter from the Gerlach-Barklow Company to Mr. Sollenberger, 3/26/1934: Letter of March 26, 1934, from representative of Gerlach-Barklow Company to Clerk Sollenberger of Gettysburg National Military Park thanking him for information on Lincoln Speech Memorial. 44. Letter from E.J. Barklow to Superintendent, Gettysburg National Military Park, 3/28/1934: March 28, 1934, letter from E.J. Barklow to Superintendent of Gettysburg National Military Park requesting more information on Lincoln Speech Memorial. 45. Letter from S.G. Sollenberger to E.J. Barklow, 3/30/1934: March 30, 1934, letter from S.G. Sollenberger of Gettysburg National Military Park to E.J. Barklow with information on the construction and history of the Lincoln Speech Memorial. 46. Handwritten Note Summarizing References to Lincoln Speech Memorial, 12/30/1940: Handwritten notes with references related to Lincoln Speech Memorial; unknown author, on December 30, 1940. 47a. Letter from Alfred Mongin to Donald C. Durman, 5/6/1949, page 1: Page 1 of a May 6, 1949, letter from Gettysburg Park Historian Alfred Mongin to Donald Durman containing information on the history and construction of the Lincoln Speech Memorial. 47b. Letter from Alfred Mongin to Donald C. Durman, 5/6/1949, page 2: Page 2 of a May 6, 1949, letter from Gettysburg Park Historian Alfred Mongin to Donald Durman containing information on the history and construction of the Lincoln Speech Memorial. 48a. Letter from Frederick Tilberg to Mabel Kunkel, 2/17/1959, page 1: Page 1 of a February 17, 1959, letter from Gettysburg Park Historian Frederick Tilberg to Mabel Kunkel containing information on the history, construction, and specifications of the Lincoln Speech Memorial. 48b. Letter from Frederick Tilberg to Mabel Kunkel, 2/17/1959, page 2: Page 2 of a February 17, 1959, letter from Gettysburg Park Historian Frederick Tilberg to Mabel Kunkel containing information on the history, construction, and specifications of the Lincoln Speech Memorial. 49. Letter from F. Lauriston Bullard to Frederick Tilberg, 6/19/1947: June 19, 1947, letter from F. Lauriston Bullard to Gettysburg Park Historian Frederick Tilberg requesting information on the Lincoln Speech Memorial. 50. Letter from J. Walter Coleman to F. Lauriston Bullard, 6/23/1947: Letter of June 23, 1947, from Gettysburg Park Superintendent to F. Lauriston Bullard with information on Lincoln Speech Memorial. 51: Letter from Frederick Tilberg to F. Lauriston Bullard, 7/16/1947: July 16, 1947, letter from Gettysburg Park Historian Frederick Tilberg to F. Lauriston Bullard containing information about the Lincoln Speech Memorial. 52a. Letter from Alfred Mongin to Frederick Tilberg, 5/2/1958, page 1: Page 1 of May 2, 1958, letter from former Gettysburg Park Historian Alfred Mongin to the then current Gettysburg Park Historian Frederick Tilberg with information about the history, specifications, and construction of the Lincoln Speech Memorial. 52b. Letter from Alfred Mongin to Frederick Tilberg, 5/2/1958, page 2: Page 2 of May 2, 1958, letter from former Gettysburg Park Historian Alfred Mongin to the then current Gettysburg Park Historian Frederick Tilberg with information about the history, specifications, and construction of the Lincoln Speech Memorial. 52c. Letter from Alfred Mongin to Frederick Tilberg, 5/2/1958: page 3: Page 3 of May 2, 1958, letter from former Gettysburg Park Historian Alfred Mongin to the then current Gettysburg Park Historian Frederick Tilberg with information about the history, specifications, and construction of the Lincoln Speech Memorial. 52d. Letter from Alfred Mongin to Frederick Tilberg, 5/2/1958, page 4: Page 4 of May 2, 1958, letter from former Gettysburg Park Historian Alfred Mongin to the then current Gettysburg Park Historian Frederick Tilberg with information about the history, specifications, and construction of the Lincoln Speech Memorial. 52e. Letter from Alfred Mongin to Frederick Tilberg, 5/2/1958: page 5: Page 5 of May 2, 1958, letter from former Gettysburg Park Historian Alfred Mongin to the then current Gettysburg Park Historian Frederick Tilberg with information about the history, specifications, and construction of the Lincoln Speech Memorial. 52f. Letter from Alfred Mongin to Frederick Tilberg, 5/2/1958: page 6: Page 6 of May 2, 1958, letter from former Gettysburg Park Historian Alfred Mongin to the then current Gettysburg Park Historian Frederick Tilberg with information about the history, specifications, and construction of the Lincoln Speech Memorial. |
Last updated: December 17, 2025