Rolland Center for Lincoln Research - Ft. Wayne, IN
Posted by: 
adgorn
N 41° 04.630 W 085° 08.594
16T E 655978 N 4548984
The Rolland Center for Lincoln Research gives public access to the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection located at the Allen County Public Library, an incomparable repository and resource for information on the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.
Waymark Code: WM1C3CJ
Location: Indiana, United States
Date Posted: 05/26/2025
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"When the Lincoln Museum in Fort Wayne was closed in 2008, a nationwide search for a recipient of the $20,000,000 Collection was begun. The eventual decision was that the Collection would be donated to the State of Indiana, the three dimensional artifacts to be curated at the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis, and the two dimensional material (documents, 18,000 books, 19th Century newspapers, etc.) would be preserved at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne.
In 2017 the decision was made to develop the Rolland Center for Lincoln Research at the Allen County Public Library as a memorial to Ian Rolland, former Chairman & CEO of Lincoln National Life and Director of Friends of the Lincoln Collection of Indiana. A public display was created so that library visitors and school groups would be able to see and study the material in the Collection.
The immersive, interactive, and informative space embodies the main goals of highlighting the many thousands of amazing items in the Lincoln Collection. These items include original photographs of Abraham Lincoln, his family, cabinet members, and generals; letters and documents to and from Lincoln; diaries of Civil War soldiers; and so much more."
Upon my visit, I was glad to see The Rolland Center was open to the public for exploration of physical items on display as well as virtual items through tech elements. A large display of the endowment members spans the entrance. A good number of pamphlet-type publications and photos were displayed. An overview was provided through a kiosk. I enjoyed about 30 minutes there.