April 1865
New Exhibit at the Rolland Center for Lincoln Research
At the Rolland Center for Lincoln Research in the Allen County Public Library, a new exhibit spotlights the events of April 1865. Here at the 160th anniversary of the fall of the Confederate capital at Richmond, Virginia, General Robert E. Lee’s surrender to Union general Ulysses S. Grant, and President Lincoln’s assassination, the exhibit explores a pivotal month at the close of the Civil War. Between April 3 and April 15, the North’s jubilation at an imminent end to four years of bloodshed suddenly turned to grief and mourning for the martyred President, who died for his belief that some Black men should be granted the right to vote. This year-long exhibition features photographs of key figures, fine art depicting these historic events, Lincoln-signed documents written just days before his death, and a derringer pistol of the same model as the one that John Wilkes Booth used to shoot the President. Join us in learning more about these two decisive weeks in American history. The exhibit can be viewed during normal library hours from February 28, 2025, through the end of the year; there is no cost to visit.
Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 9 am – 9 pm
Friday and Saturday: 9 am – 6 pm
Sunday: 12 pm – 5 pm
For questions, contact [email protected].