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
July 8, 2026
VIRTUAL EVENT
Lincoln at the Library | Dead Letter Office Images: The Civil War’s Lost Sentiments
Presented by Melissa Winn
During the Civil War, soldiers often mailed letters home with small portrait photos enclosed. When many of these letters went undelivered, the Dead Letter Office in Washington, D.C., spent decades trying to reunite the images with their families. Melissa Winn shares photos from her collection of Dead Letter Office images and tells the touching story of these interrupted sentiments and the noble efforts by many to send them home.
Through Aug. 11, 2026
ON DISPLAY
Scandal In the Capital
Whispers in Wartime
In a city where rumors could destroy reputations overnight, scandal revealed how the Civil War touched every corner of Washington society. A new temporary exhibit shines light on four scandals that sparked heated gossip in our nation’s capital, the nerve-center of the war effort.
Through Dec. 31, 2026
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. 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.
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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.
Winkler, H. Donald, 1932-
Stealing secrets : how a few daring women deceived generals, impacted battles, and altered the course of the Civil War
The New York Times disunion : modern historians revisit and reconsider the Civil War from Lincoln's election to the Emancipation Proclamation
Robertson, James I., Jr. (James Irvin), 1930-2019
Soldiers Blue and Gray
Foner, Eric
The fiery trial : Abraham Lincoln and American slavery
Egerton, Douglas R
Thunder at the gates : the black Civil War regiments that redeemed America
