On October 30, 2026, the House Divided Project at Dickinson College will unveil the new Pohanka Reading Room at its campus location (61 N. West Street) in honor of the late Brian C. Pohanka (1955-2005), a noted historian and member of the Class of 1977. This non-circulating library of more than two thousand rare Civil War and nineteenth-century US history volumes will occupy the newly renovated second and third floors of the House Divided studio near the corner of West and Louther streets. In 2026, Cricket Bauer donated Brian’s personal library to the House Divided Project and the Pohanka Family Foundation generously provided funding to help make the collection accessible to the campus and the general public. There will be an open house on Friday, October 30 from 2pm to 4pm at 61 N. West Street for any visitors interested in viewing the new reading rooms and state-of-the-art multi-media studio or to see the existing museum-style exhibits concerning Carlisle and the Civil War era or Dickinson & Slavery. In November and December (for the remainder of the fall semester), access to the House Divided location will only be available by special appointment. To find out more about the new Pohanka Reading Room, its layout and to see photographs of the renovated space, visit this page.
Open House details for new Pohanka Reading Room
Location: 61 N. West Street, Carlisle, PA
Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Accessibility: wheelchair accessible first floor only
Cost: Free and open to anyone
Online catalog: Pohanka Reading Room collection (2,000+ records)
Brian C. Pohanka (Class of 1977)