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American History

About the Collection

Delve into the Lilly collections to trace American history from the first printing in Latin of the Columbus letter through the Lincoln Era to recent U.S. political figures.

You’ll find unique holdings related to periods such as the American Revolution, creation of the U.S. Constitution, the War of 1812 and the Civil War.

The collection also focuses on individuals, such as Abraham Lincoln, Charles Fairbanks, Paul McNutt, Wendell Willkie and Charles Halleck.

Collections from Indiana alumni George L. Harding, Robert Spurrier Ellison and William Corr Service include resources for the study of the American West. You’ll find overland narratives and diaries, and materials about the Pacific Northwest and the California Gold Rush.

The resources in this area are vast and varied, so ask a librarian for help for your specific research area.

Have a Question?

Lilly Library

liblilly@iu.edu

Text of the first printing of the Declaration of Independence
Digitized Collection
Declaration of Independence

The first printing of the Declaration of Independence is a priceless artifact and an evocative statement of the nation's founding principles. Originally printed on the night of July 4, 1776, only 26 copies are known to exist today.

Close-up view of handwritten text in pencil
Digitized Collection
Walter Mason Camp papers

Walter Mason Camp (1867–1925) was an American author, editor, and researcher best known for interviewing hundreds of both Native American and white participants in the American Indian Wars of the second half of the 19th century. The collection consists largely of Camp’s penciled notes, mostly on small scraps of paper.

American and British soldiers fighting on the deck of the ship Chesapeake
Online Exhibition
The War of 1812 in the Collections of the Lilly Library

Explore the history of the War of 1812, the conflict that brought us the national anthem and trained a generation of political leaders. This site was developed for the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the War of 1812.

View of a locomotive labeled "Star of Empire."
Exhibition Catalogue
Searching for Riches: The California Gold Rush

The California gold rush was a mass migration of a scale never seen before. A few got rich. Many more were disappointed or ruined. Learn about their journey through personal accounts, guidebooks, and more.

Map of the United States from 1835
Online Exhibition
Globalization of the United States: 1789-1861

Fully digitized books and an interactive digital map help the user trace American diplomatic, military, commercial, missionary, and other activities in the period between the American Revolution and the U. S. Civil War.