The Allen County Public Library is proud to join the nationwide celebration of America’s 250th anniversary with a series of engaging programs, films, and exhibits designed to reflect on the nation’s history, culture, and democratic ideals.
Allen County Public Library news release:
Library Celebrates America 250 with Community Programming and History Exhibits
Fort Wayne, Indiana (April 28, 2026) – The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) is proud to join the nationwide celebration of America’s 250th anniversary with a series of engaging programs, films, and exhibits designed to reflect on the nation’s history, culture, and democratic ideals.
The Library is participating in the Allen County America 250 Committee and in partnership with PBS Fort Wayne, the committee will present a day-long Allen County America 250 event on Saturday, May 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Main Library. Community members can view clips of Ken Burns’ “The American Revolution”, connect with local organizations and learn more about upcoming commemorations and initiatives tied to America 250. For this event, all ACPL parking lots will offer free downtown parking until 6 p.m.
These programs are part of a broader America 250 initiative taking place across multiple ACPL locations including a lineup of film screenings, hands-on activities, scavenger hunts, reading lists, and more! Together, these locations will offer opportunities for all ages to explore America’s past, present, and future through the library.
“All across our nation, libraries serve as cornerstones of democracy—places where people can freely explore ideas, access information, and engage with history,” said Susan P. Baier, Executive Director of the ACPL. “As we recognize America’s 250th birthday, our libraries are honored to provide spaces and programs that encourage reflection, learning, and meaningful connection to the ideals that continue to shape our nation.”
Among the library’s program offerings, the Studios at the Library will offer Mini 3D-Printed Time Capsules May 10-16 during open Studio hours. In this hands-on activity, visitors will use digital models to print time capsules for storing small keepsakes.
The Genealogy Center will present two virtual programs. On May 5, “Freedom’s Debt: A Guide to Revolutionary War Pensions” will explore how Revolutionary Ward pension records can assist participants with early American genealogy research. The Center will also focus on local history with “The Five Forts That Make Up Fort Wayne” on June 23. This program will examine the history of the five forts that were built near present-day Fort Wayne and the military history of the three rivers region.
The ACPL is also shining a light on its Federal Library Depository Program’s (FDLP) collection. As a member of the FDLP, the ACPL preserves and provides free access to the wealth of information published and distributed by the federal government since the nation’s founding. The collection includes census statistics, laws passed by Congress, Supreme Court opinions, resources on civics education, compilations of presidential speeches and statements, and definitive volumes of military history. For more information, visit acpl.info/fdlp.
Family explores the Rolland Center. Photo courtesy of the Allen County Public Library.
Visitors are also encouraged to check out the current Rolland Center for Lincoln Research exhibits at the Main Library. “Scandal in the Capital: Whispers in Wartime” will be on display through August 11, and exhibit explores the rumors and scandals in Civil War-era Washington, D.C., revealing how gossip could influence reputations and the war effort itself. Through the end of the year, “The Lincolns at Home” offers an intimate look at Abraham Lincoln and his family, tracing their journey from Springfield, Illinois, to the White House during one of the most turbulent times in American history.
All activities and collections are intended to honor America’s rich history during the nation’s semiquincentennial celebrations and to recognize the vital role of libraries in preserving, organizing, and sharing our nation’s history. For more information, to register for events, or to explore curated reading lists, visit acpl.info/america250. All America 250 programs and exhibits are free and open to the public.
About the Allen County Public Library
The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) has fostered lifelong learning and discovery in northeast Indiana for more than 135 years. The ACPL consists of fourteen branches throughout Allen County, serving more than one million visitors per year. The ACPL’s collection includes more than 3.9 million items, with a circulation total of 4.6 million items borrowed annually. It also houses The Genealogy Center, the nation’s largest public genealogy research center, and The Rolland Center for Lincoln Research, consisting of more than 30,000 artifacts related to President Abraham Lincoln.
