The Rolland Center for Lincoln Research

ACPL provided space for the Center in the Great Hall of the Main Library, near the Plaza entrance. The Friends of the Lincoln Collection provided financial support for all construction-related expenses, including technology, specialized lighting, security and fire suppression systems and archive space.

There are four points that serve as the North Star for the Rolland Center, guiding the project team members as they worked through the planning and construction process.

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• Connect people to the life and times of Abraham Lincoln.

• Display and bring to life this incomparable collection of Lincoln materials.

• Deliver a 21st century engaging experience.

• Make the Center a destination for people inside and outside of our community.

 

ACPL has two Lincoln Librarians on staff, and their expertise and familiarity with the Lincoln Collection was invaluable during the process of organizing the materials and developing storylines for the exhibit.  The content of the Center's physical displays and digital interactive displays focus on the following areas:

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• Lincoln overview

• Lincoln family album

• Lawyer & legislator

• Elections

• Commander-in-Chief

• Slavery/Emancipation Proclamation

 

Whether you are a local school group first learning about the nation's sixteenth president or a Lincoln scholar eager to work with primary sources, there is something for everyone at the Rolland Center for Lincoln Research.