Perfect for first time visitors!

Explore the Museum with President Carey Cranston as your guide. Learn about the founding of the museum, behind-the-scenes details, and how the exhibits were created. Higher rates apply.

Learn about the legacy and enduring impact of Frederick Douglass, as well as other abolitionists who came before Douglass and the impact they had on him, and the writers who were influenced by Douglass and carried his activism forward.

Discover the women of American literature with this tour highlighting the accomplishments and contributions of literary foremothers.

Highlighted immigrant and native writers in each area of the Museum.

The voices of Hispanic writers have always been a part of the American literary landscape: from 1528 Spanish expeditions, to the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City, to contemporary Chicago poets.

The man behind the myth, from talking ravens to thumping tell-tale hearts. You’ll dive into Poe’s work and see how his legacy continues to impact the world today.

Did you know Emily Dickinson was a lesbian? Well, it’s possible, at least. In this unique tour of the American Writers Museum, you’ll discover how many great works of American writing were created by LGBTQ+ writers, who used their sexuality and gender identity as inspiration for their work. You’ll explore, in turn, how those works, and the works of heterosexual and cisgender writers, became essential pieces of contemporary queer culture.