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Aerial view of downtown Indianapolis, Indiana at dusk including the Soliders' and Sailors' Monument and the skyline.

Registration now closed

The Marion County Poor Farm

Indianapolis Special Collections Room (ISCR) Program

2026-04-26 14:00:00 2026-04-26 15:30:00 America/Indiana/Indianapolis The Marion County Poor Farm Join us for an in-person lecture at Central Library exploring the history of the Marion County Poor Farm. Central Library -

Sunday, April 26
2:00pm - 3:30pm

Join us for an in-person lecture at Central Library exploring the history of the Marion County Poor Farm.

Expanding Our Story—Step back in time to explore the Marion County Poor Farm, a historic institution in Indianapolis that housed the indigent, aged, and residents with disabilities, providing limited relief while also reflecting the harsh realities of 19th- and early-20th-century public assistance. This lecture will focus on the operations of the institution from its founding in the 1830s to its transfer to the state as the Central State Farm Colony in 1938. Registration is required.

Presenter: Indianapolis historian and 2024 Indiana Authors Award winner Edward Fujawa.

Location: This program will be held in person in the Indianapolis Special Collections Room (ISCR) on the 6th floor of Central Library.

Parking: The Central Library has a parking garage available to patrons during their time there. Garage pricing information is detailed here. The garage can be accessed on Pennsylvania Street.

This program is part of the Expanding Our Story programs hosted by the Indianapolis Special Collections Room (ISCR). Made possible by a grant from The Clowes Fund.

Contact: Special Collections Librarian Montoya Barker

Central Library

Phone: 317-275-4100

Hours
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Mon, Oct 26 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Oct 27 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Oct 28 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Thu, Oct 29 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Fri, Oct 30 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Oct 31 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Nov 01 1:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

As the hub of the Indianapolis Public Library system, Central Library showcases renowned architecture and services. The original 1917 building, designed by Paul Cret and constructed of Indiana limestone in the Greek Doric style, was considered one of the most outstanding secular buildings in the U.S. Its six-story glass and steel-framed addition, designed by Evans Woollen, opened in 2007.

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