The Rolland Center
For Lincoln Research
Welcome to the Rolland Center for Lincoln Research
The center is free and open 7 days a week
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Events & Programs
01/21/26
ON DISPLAY
Illustrating
Self-Emancipation
A new temporary exhibit highlights how two illustrated newspapers in the 1860s covered an often-overlooked aspect of the Civil War: the self-emancipation of enslaved Americans.
In this exhibit available January 21, 2026, through March 24, 2026, visitors can view a selection of four lithograph illustrations from Harper’s Weekly: A Journal of Civilization and Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper depicting moving scenes of self-emancipation and the “contraband” camps of Black refugees that sprang up around Union armies.
12/20/25
ON DISPLAY
The Lincolns at Home
Take an intimate look at this historic first family, which through times of peace and times of war found comfort and companionship in one another. Journey through the family’s years in their hometown of Springfield, Illinois, to their time in the White House amidst the nation’s greatest crisis. Explore highlights from the Lincoln family’s own photo album, which contains more than 600 photographs and is held right here in the Rolland Center. The exhibit can be viewed during normal library hours from December 20, 2025, through the end of 2026; there is no cost to visit.
10/01/25
ON DISPLAY
He Belongs to the Ages: Mourning Abraham Lincoln
At the Rolland Center for Lincoln Research in the Allen County Public Library’s Main downtown location, we’re highlighting a strength of the Lincoln Collection: Abraham Lincoln mourning artifacts. Upon Lincoln’s death at the hands of an assassin on April 15, 1865, grief for the martyred president spread across the North. In this exhibit available from October 1, 2025, through January 20, 2026, visitors can view a small selection of these artifacts, including death notices, funeral photographs, a funeral ticket, and a funeral sermon delivered in Lincoln’s honor from right here in Fort Wayne.
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NOW
ON DISPLAY
Lincoln Collection Items
The Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection and the Friends of the Lincoln Collection opened the Rolland Center for Lincoln Research in January of 2022. The Center provides a space to explore the Lincoln Collection through a variety of physical displays, digital kiosks, and even a projection room that shows collection items in 180 degrees.
Meeting Dates - 2025
(4th Thursday of each month* at 3:00pm)
Date | Location | Agenda |
|---|---|---|
* Meeting held on third Thursday of the month due to holiday.
Regular meetings will be held at the branch location indicated and livestreamed on the ACPL youtube page.
