Jul 18, 2026
10:00am–2:00pm
At the Newberry – Ruggles Hall
Celebrate all things Newberry with collection presentations, hands-on activities, tours, a mini used book sale, and so much more at this open house event. This summer our theme is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
This program will be held in-person at the Newberry.
Join us for our summer NewberryFest, designed to help both new and returning visitors learn more about the Newberry. Learn more about the history and legacy of the American Revolution by exploring our collection and try your own hand at historical calligraphy techniques!
- Come face-to-face with extraordinary items from our collection that are related to the Revolutionary period and its echoes over the past 250 years. Our curators and librarians will be available to answer your questions and share more about the items!
- Visit our latest exhibitions, Free and Independent: The Declaration of Independence and the Words That Made the United States and Conceived in Liberty: Cartoons, Caricatures, and Illustrations in the Wartime Us, 1812-1918.
- Join a docent-led building tour to learn about the library's nearly 140-year history (tours occur every 30 minutes).
- Shop our used book sale, which promises to offer literary treasures at low prices.
- Visit the Newberry Bookshop, where you'll find more than just books. All attendees at NewberryFest receive 10% off their purchase!
TALKS AND ACTIVITIES IN RUGGLES HALL
10:15am - Newberry101
11:00am - Screening of Faith and Freedom in America, by Ken Burns, followed by a discussion led by Free and Independent curator Eric Slauter
12:30pm to 2:00pm - try out new calligraphy techniques with the Chicago Calligraphy Collective
COST AND REGISTRATION
This program is free and open to all. Registration is optional to receive updates and reminders.
