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.
The Rolland Center Virtual Tour
Meet Our Lincoln Librarians
Jessie Cortesi
Senior Lincoln Librarian
Jessie Cortesi holds an MA in History and a MLIS from IUPUI. She stewards the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, curates exhibits for all audiences, offers tours, and creates programming centered on Abraham Lincoln’s life and times. Her first exhibit received a GEMmy Award from the Midwest Travel Journalists Association naming the Rolland Center an outstanding visitor attraction. She was awarded the Lincoln Forum’s 2023 Ross Heller Fellowship, an experience that deepened her passion for the study of the Civil War.
Abbie Meek
Senior Lincoln Librarian
Abbie Meek is a native of Northeast Indiana with a passion for helping others research and access history. She earned her BA in History from Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne and her Master's in Library and Information Science at IUPUI. While obtaining her bachelor’s degree, she worked at Helmke Library. Since joining the Rolland Center, Abbie has guided tours, curated exhibits, created educational resources, and helped inquiring minds explore the renowned collection to discover Abraham Lincoln's life and times.
Sarah Schoolman
Educational Outreach Coordinator
Sarah Schoolman holds a BS in Elementary Education from Eureka College and a MS.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Purdue University Fort Wayne. Sarah brings a wealth of experience to her role and a proven track record in teaching upper elementary grades, crafting engaging curriculum, and mentoring both aspiring and current educators. She is a lifelong learner with a passion for sharing the compelling stories of Abraham Lincoln and his contemporaries through the vast resources of the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection.