Brinkerhoff donates Lincoln items to Salem library
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Sentinel Photo/DENNIS ROSENBERGER
LINCOLN COLLECTION — Salem historian Frank Brinkerhoff, RIGHT, was joined by Bryan-Bennett Library Board President Gary Hahn, LEFT, and Library Director Kim Keller for the presentation of several Abraham Lincoln photos and other items to the library from Brinkerhoff’s collection.
Photos come from collection of local historical memorabilia
By DENNIS ROSENBERGER
SALEM — Bryan-Bennett Library in Salem was gifted several photos and other items related to Abraham Lincoln, from the collection of local historian Frank Brinkerhoff on Wednesday.
Brinkerhoff explained that he became interested in Lincoln during his childhood, and has accumulated a number of different photos and items over the years.
“The first scrapbook I made was one on Abraham Lincoln,” said Brinkerhoff. “And I still have that scrapbook somewhere.”
He recalled that his parents took him to Springfield and other Lincoln-related sites in the state as a child, helping to foster his growing interest.
Brinkerhoff noted that the donated items have come into his possession over the years, with the centerpiece of the donation, a large framed photo of Lincoln, actually hanging in the old Salem Community High School for many years, when the school was located at what is now the Salem Community Activities Center.
As he is preparing to move from his lifelong hometown next spring, in order to be closer to family, Brinkerhoff said that he wanted to try and find new homes for some of the Salem historical items in his collection, which is what prompted him to reach out to the library about donating the Lincoln photos.
Bryan-Bennett Library Board President Gary Hahn and Library Director Kim Keller were on hand to accept the donation, and Keller noted that she will be working with the board to figure out a spot in the library that would be best for the Lincoln display.
“I want these to get a good showing out in the public area of the library,” said Keller, noting that she hopes that the display can serve as an educational opportunity for area youths visiting the library.
