CHICAGO, DECEMBER 9, 2008--Celebrate the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States - Chicagoan Barack Obama - with a visit to Newberry Library's Spotlight exhibit of memorabilia from previous U.S. presidential inaugurations. Chart the evolution of the U.S. Presidential Inauguration Day - the day that the U.S. President is sworn into office.
This free exhibition contains approximately 20 items related to U.S. presidential inaugurations, including coverage of Washington's inaugural in the Columbian Magazine, with engravings; sheet music, including what's probably a first edition of the President's March, composed for Washington's inauguration; and, cigarette trading cards with portraits of Zachary Taylor, Mrs. Benjamin Harrison, and Chester B. Arthur. See coverage of presidential inaugurations in popular illustrated magazines, a broadside printing of Thomas Jefferson's 1806 address to Congress, and several souvenir inauguration programs.
Our Spotlight Exhibit Series introduces visitors to the Newberry's collections with small displays that highlight a wide range of humanities topics through rare books, original manuscripts, maps and archival materials.
The Newberry Library also announces its Spotlight Exhibition schedule through July 2009. Following Presidential Inaugurations, the Newberry will offer Women Hidden in the Archives, from February 19 through March 21. Fakes and Forgeries will be shown from March 25 through April 25, 2009. Items from the Newberry Library's recent acquisitions will be displayed from April 29 through June 10. Finally, in conjunction with the yearlong centennial celebration of the Plan of Chicago, Daniel Burnham in the Philippines will be on display from June 16 through July 15.
Location and Travel Information
The Newberry Library is at 60 West Walton Street, on CTA bus lines #22 and #70, and close to several "L" stops. For more travel information, call the RTA Travel Center Hotline, (312) 836-7000, or visit www.transitchicago.com.
ABOUT THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY
The Newberry Library, a preeminent humanities research and reference institution, is home to a world-class collection of books, manuscripts, maps, music, and other printed materials related to the history and culture of Western Europe and the Americas. The collections span many centuries and feature items such as illuminated medieval manuscripts, rare early maps, rich genealogical resources, and the personal papers of Midwest authors. The Newberry offers exhibitions based on its collections, musical and theatrical performances, lectures and discussions with today's leading humanists, seminars and workshops, and teacher programs. Visit us online at www.newberry.org or in person at 60 W. Walton St., Chicago, IL.