The Newberry's public galleries are for bibliophiles: those who swoon over original Thomas Paine pamphlets about the French Revolution, or get weak-kneed seeing Thomas Jefferson's copy of the History of the Expedition under Captains Lewis and Clark (with margin notes!). Exhibits rotate yellowed manuscripts and tattered first editions from the library's extensive collection.
The library itself, stacked with books, maps, photographs and other humanities-related materials, is on the upper floors. Those trying to research far-flung branches of their family tree will have a field day here. Entry requires a library card, but one-day passes are available for curious browsers. Once inside, you can pester the patient librarians with requests for help in tracking down all manner of historical ephemera. (The collection is noncirculating, though, so don’t expect to take that 1st edition of the King James Bible home with you.) Free tours of the impressive building take place at 3pm Thursday and 10:30am Saturday.
