Lewis Mausoleum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lewis Mausoleum
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Jacksonville, Florida, USA |
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| NRHP reference No. | 97001225 |
| Added to NRHP | October 24, 1997 |
The Lewis Mausoleum is a special historic building in Jacksonville, Florida. It is a mausoleum, which is like a small, strong building where people are buried. This one is located in Memorial Cemetery, at the corner of Edgewood Avenue and Moncreif Road. On October 24, 1997, it was officially recognized as an important historical place. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
The Lewis Mausoleum: A Historic Landmark
This important mausoleum is the resting place of Abraham Lincoln Lewis (1865-1947). He was a very important person in Florida's history. Mr. Lewis was a successful businessman and a leader in the African-American community. He helped many people during a time when there was a lot of unfairness.
Who Was Abraham Lincoln Lewis?
Abraham Lincoln Lewis was born in 1865 and lived until 1947. He was known as a Florida pioneer. This means he was one of the first people to do important things in the state. He was a very prominent, or well-known, businessman. He helped start Afro-American Life, which was one of the first companies to offer insurance to African-Americans. This was a big deal because many other companies at the time did not serve them.
A Pioneer for Change
During Mr. Lewis's time, there was segregation in the United States. This meant that Black and white people were kept separate in many parts of life. For example, they often had different schools, restaurants, and public places. Abraham Lincoln Lewis worked to fight against this unfair system.
He opened places where everyone was welcome. He created a country club, a golf course, and even an oceanfront area for fun. These places were open to non-white people, which was very rare at the time. He also helped Booker T. Washington create the national Negro Business League. This group helped Black business owners succeed. Mr. Lewis also supported historically Black colleges, which are schools created to educate African-American students. He is buried with his first wife, Mary Sammis Lewis (1865-1923).
