The American Writers Museum - An Interactive Museum in Chicago, IL
Source: http://americanwritersmuseum.org
Archived: 2026-04-23 15:39
The American Writers Museum - An Interactive Museum in Chicago, IL
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America at 250: Explore the Writers Who Shaped the Nation
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the American Writers Museum explores ideas of independence, equality, and identity through more than 400 years of American writing. Discover a new pop-up exhibit, public programs including the American Writers Festival, and a student writing competition inviting new voices to reflect on the opening words of the Declaration of Independence and what they mean today.
Click Here to Explore America250
“Amazing place to reflect on American voices, for people who love to read and write and explore what it means to develop their own voice.”
Alison, May 2022 Visitor
visitor testimonials
“It’s a beautiful and very worthwhile place, quiet, flowing and very interactive.”
Stella Liu, May 2023 Visitor
“Love this museum! Place for you who enjoy any kind of literature, from novel, speech, song, poem, poetry, history of literature, etc.”
Stephanie Gwee, September 2019 Visitor
The American Writers Museum is open Thursday through Monday from 10am to 5pm.
Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
(only open for private events and rentals)
Buy Tickets Now
find your words
Hover over the images to see what our visitors are saying!
"The Dark Testament exhibition on black writers and their fight against racial injustice during the 1800-1900s was the best part, in my opinion." - Kelsie, August 2023
"It's inclusive and diverse, not just in the writers featured but also in the types of writing and information. The opportunity to type an old school typewriter again was a nice surprise" - Sharon, January 2024
"What a great little find. Wonderfully interactive and very thought provoking for all ages." -Joyce, January 2024
Upcoming Programs
See our full calendar here
01
Apr
Bird Watch Scavenger Hunt
American Writers Museum
03
May
Member Exchange: Chicago Maritime Museum
Chicago, IL
12
May
Get Lit: Art of the Cocktail
American Writers Museum
17
May
Monthly Free Museum Day
American Writers Museum
No event found!
Load More
Share your story with us when you visit!
#americanwritersmuseum
As a nonprofit organization, the American Writers Museum is almost entirely funded by individual contributions. There are a variety of ways you can support the museum, such as memberships, donations, and sponsorships. Click here to learn more and make your gift today.
Donate
Become a Member
The American Writers Museum acknowledges the support of the Illinois Arts Council
AWM Staff Picks: April 2026
April 14, 2026
Reading, watching, listening, and gaming recommendations from the staff of the American Writers Museum. We [...]
American Writers Museum And Chicago Public Library Announce 2026 American Writers Festival
March 20, 2026
Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. daily Free weekend of [...]
AWM Staff Picks: March 2026
March 6, 2026
Reading, watching, listening, and gaming recommendations from the staff of the American Writers Museum. We [...]
American Writers Museum Announces Pop-Up Exhibit and More for U.S. 250th Anniversary
March 2, 2026
Declarations: 250 Years of Writing Toward Independence on display at the museum June 18 to [...]
U.S. Winter Olympics Memoirs
February 23, 2026
When athletes become writers! Stay in the Olympic spirit with these memoirs from past and [...]
Route 66: The Writing of an American Icon
February 18, 2026
100 Years of Writers and Words Along Route 66 Route 66 has always been much [...]
AWM Staff Picks: February 2026
February 11, 2026
Reading, watching, listening, and gaming recommendations from the staff of the American Writers Museum. We [...]
The Declaration of Independence: 250 Years and Counting
February 10, 2026
The American Writers Museum is thrilled to announce the 2026 John Estey Student Writing Competition [...]
A National Museum Celebrating American Writers
Buy Tickets Now
Arab American Heritage Month Reading List
In 2020, award-winning novelist Sahar Mustafah wrote a blog for the AWM with reading recommendations [...]
15
Apr
AWM Staff Picks: April 2026
Reading, watching, listening, and gaming recommendations from the staff of the American Writers Museum. We [...]
14
Apr
American Writers Museum And Chicago Public Library Announce 2026 American Writers Festival
Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. daily Free weekend of [...]
20
Mar
AWM Staff Picks: March 2026
Reading, watching, listening, and gaming recommendations from the staff of the American Writers Museum. We [...]
06
Mar
American Writers Museum Announces Pop-Up Exhibit and More for U.S. 250th Anniversary
Declarations: 250 Years of Writing Toward Independence on display at the museum June 18 to [...]
02
Mar
U.S. Winter Olympics Memoirs
When athletes become writers! Stay in the Olympic spirit with these memoirs from past and [...]
23
Feb
Route 66: The Writing of an American Icon
100 Years of Writers and Words Along Route 66 Route 66 has always been much [...]
18
Feb
AWM Staff Picks: February 2026
Reading, watching, listening, and gaming recommendations from the staff of the American Writers Museum. We [...]
11
Feb
Visit
Plan Your Visit
Tickets & Hours
Parking & Directions
Accessibility
Shop
AWM Exclusives
Gift Ideas
Events
Calendar
Watch Past Events
American Writers Festival
Venue Rentals
Groups
Adult Group Experiences
Corporate Experiences
Field Trips
Explore
Exhibits
In-Person Permanent Exhibits
In-Person Temporary Exhibits
Online Exhibits
Digital Resources
Blog
Book Club Reading Recommendations
Podcast
AWM Author Talks
Nation of Writers
Dead Writer Drama
AWM on YouTube
Playlists
Partners
Affiliate Museums
Learn
Field Trips
In-Person Field Trips
Virtual Field Trips
Themed Field Trips
Field Trip in a Box
Online Education Resources
Resources by Grade Level
Resources by Exhibit
Inquiry-Based Curriculum
Using Primary Sources
John Estey Student Writing Competition
Current Competition
Past Winners
Write In Extended Curriculum
My America Curriculum
Dark Testament Curriculum
Support
Join
Membership
Writer Membership
Volunteer
Apply to Volunteer
Give
Donate
OnWord Annual Benefit
Planned Giving
Sponsorship
Donors
About
Our Story
History & Mission
Diversity & Equity
National Advisory Council
Curating Team
Our Team
Board of Trustees
Staff
Jobs & Volunteering
Contact
Skip to content
America at 250: Explore the Writers Who Shaped the Nation
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the American Writers Museum explores ideas of independence, equality, and identity through more than 400 years of American writing. Discover a new pop-up exhibit, public programs including the American Writers Festival, and a student writing competition inviting new voices to reflect on the opening words of the Declaration of Independence and what they mean today.
Click Here to Explore America250
“Amazing place to reflect on American voices, for people who love to read and write and explore what it means to develop their own voice.”
Alison, May 2022 Visitor
visitor testimonials
“It’s a beautiful and very worthwhile place, quiet, flowing and very interactive.”
Stella Liu, May 2023 Visitor
“Love this museum! Place for you who enjoy any kind of literature, from novel, speech, song, poem, poetry, history of literature, etc.”
Stephanie Gwee, September 2019 Visitor
The American Writers Museum is open Thursday through Monday from 10am to 5pm.
Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
(only open for private events and rentals)
Buy Tickets Now
find your words
Hover over the images to see what our visitors are saying!
"The Dark Testament exhibition on black writers and their fight against racial injustice during the 1800-1900s was the best part, in my opinion." - Kelsie, August 2023
"It's inclusive and diverse, not just in the writers featured but also in the types of writing and information. The opportunity to type an old school typewriter again was a nice surprise" - Sharon, January 2024
"What a great little find. Wonderfully interactive and very thought provoking for all ages." -Joyce, January 2024
Upcoming Programs
See our full calendar here
01
Apr
Bird Watch Scavenger Hunt
American Writers Museum
03
May
Member Exchange: Chicago Maritime Museum
Chicago, IL
12
May
Get Lit: Art of the Cocktail
American Writers Museum
17
May
Monthly Free Museum Day
American Writers Museum
No event found!
Load More
Share your story with us when you visit!
#americanwritersmuseum
As a nonprofit organization, the American Writers Museum is almost entirely funded by individual contributions. There are a variety of ways you can support the museum, such as memberships, donations, and sponsorships. Click here to learn more and make your gift today.
Donate
Become a Member
The American Writers Museum acknowledges the support of the Illinois Arts Council
AWM Staff Picks: April 2026
April 14, 2026
Reading, watching, listening, and gaming recommendations from the staff of the American Writers Museum. We [...]
American Writers Museum And Chicago Public Library Announce 2026 American Writers Festival
March 20, 2026
Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. daily Free weekend of [...]
AWM Staff Picks: March 2026
March 6, 2026
Reading, watching, listening, and gaming recommendations from the staff of the American Writers Museum. We [...]
American Writers Museum Announces Pop-Up Exhibit and More for U.S. 250th Anniversary
March 2, 2026
Declarations: 250 Years of Writing Toward Independence on display at the museum June 18 to [...]
U.S. Winter Olympics Memoirs
February 23, 2026
When athletes become writers! Stay in the Olympic spirit with these memoirs from past and [...]
Route 66: The Writing of an American Icon
February 18, 2026
100 Years of Writers and Words Along Route 66 Route 66 has always been much [...]
AWM Staff Picks: February 2026
February 11, 2026
Reading, watching, listening, and gaming recommendations from the staff of the American Writers Museum. We [...]
The Declaration of Independence: 250 Years and Counting
February 10, 2026
The American Writers Museum is thrilled to announce the 2026 John Estey Student Writing Competition [...]
A National Museum Celebrating American Writers
Buy Tickets Now
Arab American Heritage Month Reading List
In 2020, award-winning novelist Sahar Mustafah wrote a blog for the AWM with reading recommendations [...]
15
Apr
AWM Staff Picks: April 2026
Reading, watching, listening, and gaming recommendations from the staff of the American Writers Museum. We [...]
14
Apr
American Writers Museum And Chicago Public Library Announce 2026 American Writers Festival
Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. daily Free weekend of [...]
20
Mar
AWM Staff Picks: March 2026
Reading, watching, listening, and gaming recommendations from the staff of the American Writers Museum. We [...]
06
Mar
American Writers Museum Announces Pop-Up Exhibit and More for U.S. 250th Anniversary
Declarations: 250 Years of Writing Toward Independence on display at the museum June 18 to [...]
02
Mar
U.S. Winter Olympics Memoirs
When athletes become writers! Stay in the Olympic spirit with these memoirs from past and [...]
23
Feb
Route 66: The Writing of an American Icon
100 Years of Writers and Words Along Route 66 Route 66 has always been much [...]
18
Feb
AWM Staff Picks: February 2026
Reading, watching, listening, and gaming recommendations from the staff of the American Writers Museum. We [...]
11
Feb
Visit
Plan Your Visit
Tickets & Hours
Parking & Directions
Accessibility
Shop
AWM Exclusives
Gift Ideas
Events
Calendar
Watch Past Events
American Writers Festival
Venue Rentals
Groups
Adult Group Experiences
Corporate Experiences
Field Trips
Explore
Exhibits
In-Person Permanent Exhibits
In-Person Temporary Exhibits
Online Exhibits
Digital Resources
Blog
Book Club Reading Recommendations
Podcast
AWM Author Talks
Nation of Writers
Dead Writer Drama
AWM on YouTube
Playlists
Partners
Affiliate Museums
Learn
Field Trips
In-Person Field Trips
Virtual Field Trips
Themed Field Trips
Field Trip in a Box
Online Education Resources
Resources by Grade Level
Resources by Exhibit
Inquiry-Based Curriculum
Using Primary Sources
John Estey Student Writing Competition
Current Competition
Past Winners
Write In Extended Curriculum
My America Curriculum
Dark Testament Curriculum
Support
Join
Membership
Writer Membership
Volunteer
Apply to Volunteer
Give
Donate
OnWord Annual Benefit
Planned Giving
Sponsorship
Donors
About
Our Story
History & Mission
Diversity & Equity
National Advisory Council
Curating Team
Our Team
Board of Trustees
Staff
Jobs & Volunteering
Contact