American Writers Museum

American Writers Museum We invite you to visit us, and experience American literature in a new, unique way!
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The American Writers Museum's mission is to excite audiences about the impact of American writers - past, present and future - in shaping our collective histories, cultures, identities, and daily lives. The American Writers Museum:
- Educates the public about American writers – past and present
- Engages visitors to the Museum in exploring the many exciting worlds created by the spoken and written

word
- Enriches and deepens appreciation for good writing in all its forms
- Inspires people of all ages and from all walks of life to discover, or rediscover, a love of reading and writing
-Through innovative and dynamic state-of- the-art exhibitions, as well as compelling programming, The American Writers Museum educates, enriches, provokes and inspires the public.

87 years ago today, Thornton Wilder's iconic play, OUR TOWN, was published. The play is featured in our Surprise Bookshe...
01/22/2025

87 years ago today, Thornton Wilder's iconic play, OUR TOWN, was published. The play is featured in our Surprise Bookshelf, see if you can find it next time you visit!

Join us this afternoon for a conversation with Gail Crowther, author of the new book, DOROTHY PARKER IN HOLLYWOOD! This ...
01/21/2025

Join us this afternoon for a conversation with Gail Crowther, author of the new book, DOROTHY PARKER IN HOLLYWOOD!

This program is completely virtual, which means you can stay nice and warm at home while joining in engaging conversation.

Register here: https://bit.ly/3WpT8yW

Acclaimed author Gail Crowther visits with us online to discuss the legacy of Dorothy Parker and her new book "Dorothy Parker in Hollywood."

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr Day! In celebration of his life and legacy, we've compiled some important speeches he made ...
01/20/2025

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr Day! In celebration of his life and legacy, we've compiled some important speeches he made during his life into a blog. We’ve pulled some of our favorite quotes, but we urge you to read and watch them in their entirety to understand and appreciate the full depth of his radical work.

We're open for the holiday if you'd like to explore more in person, too!

Read our blog here:

A list of iconic Martin Luther King, Jr. quotes, plus links to video and audio recordings of his speeches as well as transcripts.

01/19/2025

Join us for our free day today and get access to all of our exhibits! Come by yourself or bring the whole family and get a break from the cold in our cozy, literary haven from 10-5.

01/17/2025

On our newest episode of Nation of Writers, we discuss the life and work of novelist and short story writer Nathaniel Hawthorne. For this episode, we are joined by our friends at The House of the Seven Gables, a museum and settlement house that preserves Hawthorne’s birthplace while providing support for local immigrant communities. Our guests are Dakota Russell, Executive Director; and David Moffat, Visitor Services Specialist and Researcher.

Listen here or wherever you get you podcasts! https://hubs.ly/Q0332cjC0

The AWM is saddened to hear of the passing of David Lynch. Lynch was a radical member of the writing community with a un...
01/16/2025

The AWM is saddened to hear of the passing of David Lynch. Lynch was a radical member of the writing community with a unique vision for the surreal, having written 9 books and over 60 shorts, feature films, and TV shows—including the popular series TWIN PEAKS and the film MULHOLLAND DRIVE.

The first staff picks of 2025 are here! Check out our top recommendations this month and find a new favorite book, film,...
01/16/2025

The first staff picks of 2025 are here! Check out our top recommendations this month and find a new favorite book, film, show, play, album, or even game.

See the full list here!
https://bit.ly/4jlgxM2

Without book publishers, we wouldn't have access to all the amazing stories that make up our museum. So, what better way...
01/16/2025

Without book publishers, we wouldn't have access to all the amazing stories that make up our museum. So, what better way to show our thanks than with a whole day dedicated to them? Happy Book Publishers Day! 📚

Next week, join us for Lunch with Dorothy Parker. Beat the cold with this virtual conversation with Gail Crowther, autho...
01/15/2025

Next week, join us for Lunch with Dorothy Parker. Beat the cold with this virtual conversation with Gail Crowther, author of the new book DOROTHY PARKER IN HOLLYWOOD, an expansive and illuminating study of legendary writer Dorothy Parker’s life and legacy in Hollywood from the author of THREE-MARTINI AFTERNOONS AT THE RITZ.

Lunch is not required, but is recommended.

Register here! https://bit.ly/4jhBeZa

01/13/2025

This week on Author Talks, acclaimed poets Diana Khoi Nguyen and Cindy Juyoung Ok read selections of their work, followed by a discussion of their processes, themes, techniques, and more.

Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts!
https://bit.ly/4agxHGk

01/09/2025

"Everything I did sort of drifted back to two dimensions...and I ended up back writing and reading."

This week on Author Talks, Donna Seaman, Editor-in-Chief at Booklist, joins us to discuss her new memoir, RIVER OF BOOKS: A LIFE IN READING.

Listen here! https://bit.ly/3WbYzBI

It's a new year, which means there are a ton of new works that have just entered the Public Domain. Check out our recent...
01/08/2025

It's a new year, which means there are a ton of new works that have just entered the Public Domain. Check out our recent blog post with all the newest additions, and get inspired to create something yourself!

A roundup of some of the notable books, films, music compositions, and other works that entered the Public Domain in 2025.

This weekend, join us for a movie in the museum! We're ringing in the new year with the next installment of our Level Up...
01/07/2025

This weekend, join us for a movie in the museum! We're ringing in the new year with the next installment of our Level Up Film Series, THE LAST STARFIGHTER. This Sunday, during our monthly free day, join us for a screening of the '80s flick where a fast-talking alien recruits a video-game wiz to battle an evil extraterrestrial.

Register here! https://bit.ly/4fP9uYG

Want to start the new year off right? How about a trip to the American Writers Museum! We're open this week Monday, Thur...
01/06/2025

Want to start the new year off right? How about a trip to the American Writers Museum! We're open this week Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10-5, so join us and start 2025 off with a literary twist 📚

Happy New Year! We can't wait for all we have planned in 2025 🎉
01/01/2025

Happy New Year! We can't wait for all we have planned in 2025 🎉

12/30/2024

As 2024 comes to a close, we want to thank all of our supporters! We've had a great year with you all and are excited for what's to come next year 🥳

Make sure you check out our staff picks if you haven't already! See what all of us are recommending this month, then pic...
12/27/2024

Make sure you check out our staff picks if you haven't already! See what all of us are recommending this month, then pick up your favorites from your nearest bookstore, library, or even Bookshop.org!

https://bit.ly/3BDe0vs

AWM Program Director Allison Sansone talked with Chris Borrelli about the intersection of scary stories and the holiday ...
12/26/2024

AWM Program Director Allison Sansone talked with Chris Borrelli about the intersection of scary stories and the holiday season—an idea we recently brought to life at our Get Lit: Haunted Holidays event. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/25/scary-ghost-stories-for-christmas-theres-a-long-tradition-and-it-goes-way-beyond-krampus/
What’s your favorite spooky tale to share during the holidays? Let us know in the comments! ⬇️

Let’s remember that Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is a ghost story. Telling dark and scary tales for the holidays is a tradition that dates back to pagan times.

Address

180 N. Michigan Avenue, 2nd Floor
Chicago, IL
60601

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

(312) 374-8790

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Educate, Engage, Inspire

The American Writers Museum is the first museum of its kind in the nation, dedicated the writers who have shaped the course of history with their words. With interactive, hands-on exhibits, the AWM is a literature-lover’s playground and an educational experience unlike any other. Here at the AWM we celebrate past writers, promote current writers, and inspire the next generation of writers. Plan your visit today!