¡Viva la Libertad! is an exhibition and series of public programs bringing together scholars, writers, artists, and community members to explore the independence struggles of the Americas and reflect on their legacies today.

Trade cards evince the taste, humor, and (sometimes befuddling) marketing strategies of the past. Americans avidly collected them, until color advertising became ubiquitous in the 20th century and the once-coveted trade card lost its allure.

The Newberry has acquired the archives of Mister Kelly’s, an iconic Chicago nightclub that helped launch the careers of Barbra Streisand, Richard Pryor, and many others. Included in the collection are live recordings, posters, photographs, and revealing ephemera—like a bar tab run up by comedian Lenny Bruce.

Our reading rooms, exhibition galleries, and bookstore have reopened to the public. Plan your visit and learn how you can safely get face-to-page with our collections again.