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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 StoryStep 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, Jul 27 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jul 28 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jul 29 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Thu, Jul 30 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Fri, Jul 31 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Aug 01 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Aug 02 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.

Upcoming events

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Mon, Jul 27, 10:00am - 12:00pm

Mon, Jul 27, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Mon, Jul 27, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Jul 28, 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Tue, Jul 28, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Tue, Jul 28, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Jul 28, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Cancelled
Wed, Jul 29, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Thu, Jul 30, 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Thu, Jul 30, 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Thu, Jul 30, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Thu, Jul 30, 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Fri, Jul 31, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Fri, Jul 31, 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Sun, Aug 02, 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Mon, Aug 03, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
This event is full

Tue, Aug 04, 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Thu, Aug 06, 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Fri, Aug 07, 10:00am - 12:00pm

Sat, Aug 08, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
This event is full

Sun, Aug 09, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Sun, Aug 09, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Mon, Aug 10, 6:00pm - 6:45pm

Tue, Aug 11, 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Thu, Aug 13, 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Fri, Aug 14, 10:00am - 12:00pm

Mon, Aug 17, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
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Tue, Aug 18, 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Tue, Aug 18, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Wed, Aug 19, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Thu, Aug 20, 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Fri, Aug 21, 10:00am - 12:00pm

Fri, Aug 21, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Sat, Aug 22, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Rescheduled
Sun, Aug 23, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
New date Sunday, August 02, 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Mon, Aug 24, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
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Tue, Aug 25, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Aug 25, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Tue, Aug 25, 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Wed, Aug 26, 2:00pm - 4:00pm