Collections & Exhibits

Limit to  
web exhibits  
Exhibit Thumbnail Title Locations Subjects
Exhibits
living the legacy African Americans in the Sciences
The Library joins the University of Chicago in its celebration of the anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birth with Highlights from the Library's African American Collections.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Jan. 7 — Jan. 31, 2005
Subjects
African-American Studies
A Bold Experiment A Bold Experiment: The Origins of the Sciences at the University of Chicago
In celebration of the 125th anniversary of the University of Chicago's founding, this exhibit looks back at the establishment of the natural sciences at the University.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Sept. 21 — March 31, 2016
View web exhibit >>
Subjects
University of Chicago
History of Science
Chicago Celebrates Darwin Chicago Celebrates Darwin
The John Crerar Library presents Chicago Celebrates Darwin, an exhibit which revisits the Darwin Centennial Celebration hosted by the University in 1959. We look back at the original letters, pictures, and documents from that conference to get a sense of the atmosphere and the importance of the events, including the effect of Darwin’s theories on the research and popular opinion of the day.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Oct. 19 — March 26, 2010
View web exhibit >>
Subjects
University of Chicago
Ecology & Evolution
Organismal Biology
Biological Sciences
Chicago and Illinois
trains Chicago Central: A History of Rails and Trains in the City
The exhibit examines some elements of this history, including the city's stations, trains and rail workers and innovations in train technology.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
April 16 — Oct. 12, 2012
Subjects
Chicago and Illinois
Technology
Discovering the Beauty and Charm of the Wilderness Discovering the Beauty and Charm of the Wilderness: Chicago Connections to the National Park Service
The National Park Service offers a rich variety of landforms, flora, and fauna that have been the subject of many University of Chicago scientific studies. The parks have also served as inspiration for art, photography and literature. To mark the National Park Service’s 100-year anniversary, we delve into the Library’s archives and rare collections to uncover Chicago connections to the parks.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Oct. 31 — Dec. 31, 2016
View web exhibit >>
Subjects
Organismal Biology
American History
University of Chicago
Environmental Science
Nobel Prize From DNA to the Expanding Universe: The University of Chicago and the Nobel Prizes in the Sciences
This exhibit, originally developed for the Nobel Prize Centennial Exhibition of the Nobel Foundation in Sweden, and displayed in the Museum of Science and Industry in the fall of 2003, has been adapted for display in the John Crerar Library, with a focus on Nobel Prize winning scientists such as Enrico Fermi, Subramanyan Chandrasekhar and James Watson.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Nov. 7 — Feb. 4, 2006
Subjects
Science, Technology, and Math
Biological Sciences
Physical Sciences
University of Chicago
Mattys hot dog stand From Sausage to Hot Dog: the Evolution of an Icon
The hot dog is an American creation, and Chicago even has its own style. But where did this popular food come from and how did it develop? This exhibit looks to the hot dog's origins in sausage-making practices brought by European immigrants to the Midwest. We consider techniques used in neighborhood butcher shops and the rise of industrial meat production. Homemade recipes and artisanal makers past and present are also examined.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Oct. 29 — Dec. 31, 2013
View web exhibit >>
Subjects
History of Science
History
American History
Chicago and Illinois
Nurse with Baby Past, Present, Future: the Evolution of Medicine at the University of Chicago's Hospitals
This exhibit provides an overview of the history and evolution of the medical school program, the hospital facilities and their technology, and medical partnerships with other Chicago area hospitals.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Oct. 15 — March 30, 2012
View web exhibit >>
Subjects
University of Chicago
Medicine
Green Roof on Searle The Science of Sustainability
This exhibit takes a close look at some aspects of sustainable building design and how they can produce greener buildings.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
April 5 — Oct. 1, 2010
View web exhibit >>
Subjects
Environmental Science
Urban Studies
Organismal Biology
Chicago and Illinois
University of Chicago
Shared Past, Shared Future Shared Past, Shared Future: The Marine Biological Laboratory and the University of Chicago
The recent affiliation between UChicago and the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) is the latest chapter in the long, intertwined history of the two institutions.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
April 19 — Oct. 31, 2016
View web exhibit >>
Subjects
Organismal Biology
University of Chicago
Something's Brewing: The Art, Science and Technology of Beer Brewing Something's Brewing: The Art, Science and Technology of Beer Brewing
The Crerar Library exhibit, Something's Brewing: The Art, Science and Technology of Brewing, explores the development of brewing, from the ancient Sumerians' rice-based beverages to the rise and fall of the Chicago brewing industry.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Jan. 8 — March 31, 2007
View web exhibit >>
Subjects
Chicago and Illinois
Materials Science
History of Science
Technology
Cracker Jack advertisement Sweet Home Chicago: Chocolate and Confectionery Production and Technology in the Windy City
Drawing from items in the substantial cookery collection at the John Crerar Library, this exhibit explores the history of chocolate and confectioners in the city and the science and technology of the candy making process.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Oct. 10 — June 11, 2011
View web exhibit >>
Subjects
Advertising
Chicago and Illinois
Technology
Tickling Your Funny Bone: Science and Humor Tickling Your Funny Bone: Humor and Science
The nature of the scientific mind may be discovered in elegant mathematical expressions and beautifully designed experiments, and also perhaps by reading "Drool science" or Robert Bakers, "A stress analysis of a strapless evening gown". Our exhibit has chosen this second discovery route by examining examples of scientist's humor and humor with a science theme.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Oct. 1 — March 31, 2003
Subjects
History of Science
Physical Sciences
Biological Sciences
Literature
Photo of Conservator at Work Under Covers: The Art and Science of Book Conservation
Book Conservation is an essential component of a comprehensive program to protect and preserve library collections for current and future use by scholars. This exhibit takes a close look at the scientific aspects of conservation and the treatment of collections.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
March 26 — Oct. 11, 2013
View web exhibit >>
Subjects
Materials Science
History of Print
Chemistry
Main exhibit poster Under Your Feet, Chicago's Water, Freight, Subway and Storm Tunnels
Under Your Feet explores the system—from the first water tunnels completed in 1867, to the now defunct freight tunnels of the early 1900's, to the subway system we use today, to the Deep Tunnel project and storm tunnels of the future.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Feb. 14 — March 31, 2006
View web exhibit >>
Subjects
Technology
Art
Chicago and Illinois
microfilm worker Well Equipped: Library Technology from Days Past
Over the years Crerar Library has used the newest equipment and technologies to make books, journals, and other information accessible to patrons. These tools have evolved through the years. A library card system has been replaced with an online catalog with significant collections available electronically. Early techniques for photocopying and microfilming materials have been eclipsed by digital scanning services. Displayed are objects and photos of some of these earlier pieces used by the Library.
Locations
Crerar Library, 1st Floor: Other Spaces
Sept. 18 — June 7, 2018
View web exhibit >>
Subjects
University of Chicago Library
Library Science