Our winter season of public programs offers a range of opportunities to indulge your passion for the humanities. Join Louise Erdrich for a discussion of her latest novel. Contemplate the end of the world (and the ends of human existence) with philosopher Jonathan Lear. Learn the ins and outs of doing your own research at the Newberry during a “Newberry 101” session.
Midwest Time Machine, a new website from the Newberry, enables users to see the past through first-hand accounts of different figures, from a wealthy socialite in Chicago to a U.S. Army private who was part of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
The Newberry has received a 2019 prize and commendation from Sotheby’s for Renaissance Invention, an exhibition opening in April of 2020. Featuring Newberry collections along with artifacts from the Art Institute of Chicago and the Adler Planetarium, Renaissance Invention examines a tumultuous era of change, disruption, and technological development.
Often called “the Heartland” or “flyover country,” the Midwest tends to be characterized as a homogeneous, barren space between the American coasts. This exhibition challenges long-standing narratives about the Midwest, exploring the confluence of peoples and environmental conditions that has defined the region and made it unique.
At the heart of the Newberry is a set of collection strengths that attract a variety of readers and serve as inspiration for our public programs and academic endeavors.
