The American Writers Museum - An Interactive Museum in Chicago, IL

Dive into a world of discovery! The American Writers Museum’s permanent exhibits take visitors on a journey through the American story, from the perspective of the writers. They introduce you to great writing in all genres, illustrating how writing influences our history and culture, and spotlighting the beauty and visceral impact of great writing.

The American Writers Museum is open 10 AM – 5 PM Thursday – Monday

find your words

Click a photo to see what our visitors are saying!

Upcoming Programs

See our full calendar here

29Jun

Horizons Creative Writing Showcase

American Writers Museum

06Jul

Sudhir Venkatesh: The Tomorrow Game

American Writers Museum Readers Hall

14Aug

Ziggy and Orly Marley: Little John Crow

American Writers Museum Readers Hall

No event found!

Share your story with us when you visit!

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Black Writers Matter. Black Voices Matter.

Black Lives Matter.

Watch a reading of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave on YouTube

View on YouTube

LGBTQ+ Themed Children's Books

9 LGBTQ+ Themed Children’s Books

Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month with these children’s books that celebrate all kinds of families. June [...]

AWM Staff Picks June 2022

AWM Staff Picks: June 2022

Reading Recommendations from the staff of the American Writers Museum. We can’t recommend these books [...]

Memorial Day Reading List

Reading recommendations for Memorial Day and beyond “The American creed is the connective tissue that [...]

American Voices: Ralph Waldo Emerson

The authors featured in our exhibit American Voices represent the evolution and flourishing of American [...]

Dispatches from the Green Room

My Volunteer Experience at the American Writers Festival Written by Christie Maliyackel I wasn’t sure [...]

Staff Picks May 2022

AWM Staff Picks: May 2022

Reading Recommendations from the staff of the American Writers Museum. We can’t recommend these books [...]

14 Picture Books Featuring Asian Families by 14 Asian American Authors

14 Picture Books Featuring Asian Families by 14 Asian American Authors

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with these books for children and families. [...]

American Writers Festival Ultimate Reading List

American Writers Festival Reading List

The ultimate reading list for the inaugural American Writers Festival This Sunday, May 15 is [...]

A National Museum Celebrating American Writers