Research library portal to millennia of human history. Free open to all since 1887.
Joined March 2009
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One of General Washington's personal guards visited our "Free and Independent" exhibition today as part of #il250 events. Michael Hensinger is visiting from the Museum of the Am Revolution in Philadelphia and part of a tent display taking place in Washington Sq Park. #america250
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Newberry Library retweeted
We’re bringing our First Oval Office Project to Chicago! In partnership with The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Illinois and the @NewberryLibrary, join us June 6 as we display our hand-sewn replica of General Washington’s dining tent.
⛺: bit.ly/3Q4vN5Y
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Thanks to @APNews for the America 250-themed piece on our large-letter postcards! The Newberry's Will Hansen reflected on the postcards and the mid-century optimism they embodied. Visit us to view postcards in-person or look them up via our website.
apnews.com/article/america-2…
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We're pleased to share that we've acquired the collection of Poetry Slam founder Marc Kelly Smith, who started the long-running poetry series in Chicago in 1984. The collection consists of over 30 linear feet of material documenting the history of the Slam and its predecessors.
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New! Our next exhibition features popular art about liberty from 1812 to the Civil War and WWI, and works by Nina Allender, John T. McCutcheon, Leslie Rogers, Thomas Nast, and Art Young. See the diverse, inspiring, and contradictory ways liberty has been conceived and realized.
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William Shakespeare was born on this date in 1564, and The Garden of Shakespeare's Birthplace - from an early twentieth century oilette postcard - is one of many Shakespeare-related items in our collection, including an original copy of his First Folio (published 1623).
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From our artifacts cage w Library Assistant Alexis - "Officium Seraphici Patris Nostri Sancti Francisci" is an oversize choral score by the Franciscan Order in 1773. The book used in mass, the notation large enough for parishioners to read it from distance. #nationallibraryweek
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This #nationallibraryweek, we are showing how we protect some of our most valuable collection items. These spheres are FM-200™ Clean Agent Extinguishing System Units. They disperse a colorless, odorless clean agent used in waterless fire suppression.
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This #nationallibraryweek, we’ll be featuring staff favorites. Here's Jill Austin, VP for Public Engagement. “The Dil Pickle Club collection, particularly the photo documenting the entrance on Tooker Alley, remains my favorite item and collection.” #findyourjoy
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More than 350 guests enjoyed a lovely evening at The Drake on April 10, celebrating the Newberry, the humanities, and the career of esteemed author Jonathan Franzen, raising funds to support the library's collections and programs.
newberry.org/news/award-cele…
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We’re celebrating the joy of libraries all next week! What brings you joy at the Newberry? Upload it to social media and tag us with the hashtag #findyourjoy. We’ll provide a special prize to one lucky poster.
Plus, stop in for a complimentary letterpress broadside!
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Thank you to all who attended our 2026 Award Celebration last night honoring author Jonathan Franzen! Thanks to Event Co-Chairs Michael Pope, left, and Christopher Hagenah; the Newberry Library Award recognizes extraordinary achievements in the humanities.
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Newberry Library retweeted
Calling Chicago!! Join me for a conversation with Michael Zapata at the @NewberryLibrary next Thursday, 4/9 at 6pm!! newberry.org/calendar/writer…
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A few selections from last week's Edible Books Festival, including our winner of the Golden Spatula: a cake dressed up as a Victorian poisonous green book, a shade once created by combining copper and arsenic. Also featured are The Works of John Locke and Bookfish. #history
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This postcard from our Digital Collections is especially apt as the University of Illinois women’s team opens the NCAA tournament tomorrow! Illinois is a 7 seed and takes on Colorado. Illinois’s men’s team was victorious last night. An exciting time in Champaign! #marchmadness
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Newberry Library retweeted
A wonderful rescue! I remember going to inspect the Burlington Archives in situ with John Aubrey ~1980 before they were moved. They were covered in dust and dirt, just a mess. High praise to the Newberry for cleaning, organizing and preserving them for posterity!
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The Newberry recently celebrated a milestone: 150k public items in Digital Collections! Images include the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company Records documenting everyday life along the route, which covered the Midwest and stretched all the way to Wyoming.
ALT Boy reading comic book in Lincoln, Nebraska, 1948. From the CB&Q Company Records.
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Reserve your seat for our Award Celebration 4/10 at The Drake! We are thrilled to honor Jonathan Franzen, recognizing his cultural impact through monumental novels such as "The Corrections," "Freedom," and "Crossroads." All proceeds support the Newberry.
newberry.org/calendar/2026aw…
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Our next exhibition opens April 9 and features a rare broadside of the Declaration as well as John Jay's handwritten draft of The Federalist No. 3.
Learn more -->
newberry.org/calendar/free-a…
#il250 #america250
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