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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.
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.
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.
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.
Type: Exhibition catalogue
Type: Online exhibition
We have millions of resources. Many are not yet digitized.
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Need Help?Helpful finding aids like our manuscripts index, card catalog, and special card files are not online. We can help you navigate these resources.
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If you plan to use Lilly Library materials in a book, article, or other publication, we ask that you fill out our Permission to Publish form. We do not own reproduction rights to most of the material in the collection, so you may also need to secure permission from copyright holders.
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