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September 2024 by Auroray JG
Interactive museum that not only allows you to meet American writers of all time but also actively participate in games and the process of writing a book
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September 2024 by 머니 바이블
Ernest Hemingway. Alan Poe. Henry James, Mark Twain. Scott Fitzgerald, TS Eliot, William Faulkner... Walt Whitman, Toni Morrison ~
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August 2024 by Bryan Wilson
I've gone to the Writers Museum several times. The children's book section is good, as is their hallmark timeline attraction that shows the evolution of American literature in all kinds of formats and genres. The word waterfall is a must-see, but the vintage typewriters always seem to grab my kids' attention the most. The AWM has a ton of manipulative and interactive elements, which are bathed in striking and colorful displays. New is a machine that generates a printout of a 1-, 3-, or 5-minute read paired to the genre selected.
Currently, the featured exhibit is based on gaming, with a concentration on role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. It provides good history about the industry and its impact while spotlighting several creators over the years. There are multiple activities as part of this exhibit that really appeal to children, including some cloaks and accessories for live action role-playing. In a separate room, people could play a table game or examine other works related to the exhibit.
Ultimately, the AWM pays homage to the history and contributors of American literature, being careful to go far beyond the WASP-y nature of the "canon" that dominated lit classes for too long. The museum also inspires creativity and makes writing accessible for all. A terrific value find on Michigan Avenue just north of Millennium Park.
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August 2024 by Chad Mace
An unexpectedly charming and intriguing place. The museum is well thought out, well put together, educational and inspiring. The staff was very friendly. We found the small gift shop was spot on with quips, puns and great trinkets.
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July 2024 by Amy T.
Solid museum - it’s on the small side (one floor w/ ~3-4 distinct exhibits that are only ~1 room each), but there’s a lot of interactive elements that allow you to easily spend over an hour here and make it worth the cost of entry
Staff is great and the museum’s not generally that busy, so you can pretty much walk in at any time. Main improvements to consider would be making the exhibits more comprehensive, and it may also be nice to have an exhibit more specifically focused on Chicago writers and literary movements
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July 2024 by Cara Rapai
This museum is small, but fun. Probably don't plan on spending more that 1-2 hours here. However, it will be time we'll spent. It was very quiet when I went, and it was a nice break from the busy city. My kids were fascinated by the antique typewriters. Kids under 12 are free, which make this place pretty affordable. It's definitely worth a stop if you are in Downtown Chicago.
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June 2024 by Alina Liu
Underwhelming.
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May 2024 by Rhett Claypool
The American Writers Museum in Chicago is a unique cultural gem, offering a rich exploration of the nation’s literary history. Interactive exhibits invite visitors of all ages to engage with the voices of American authors and their influential works. Highlights include the "Mind of a Writer" gallery, which provides fascinating insights into the creative process, and the "Children’s Literature" section, which is a hit with younger guests. The museum is not only educational but also incredibly inspiring, making it a perfect destination for families looking to experience something new together. Its central location and welcoming atmosphere ensure a memorable visit for literature lovers and casual visitors alike.
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March 2024 by Tom Pfluger
Be ready to be inspired.
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January 2024 by Janette Abbasi
Very informative and interactive...I guess since I'm not much of a reader the numerous names of famous writers was a little overwhelming. It would have been helpful to have an audio tour of the timeline.
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November 2023 by Cynthia Price
We enjoyed this place! My family are originally from Montgomery Al, but we're currently here on business and decided to visit the city and ran across this museum. There was so much history concerning very talented writers that I didn't know about. The museum was very nice, cozy and laid back. Me, my husband, daughters, and grandson took pictures of the beautiful art work and we got a chance to type on old fashioned typewriters that was used years and years ago. Way before out time.. Lol! My grandson even read some of Dr Seuss books in the kids museum library. We hope to visit again.
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October 2023 by Thomas Trala
A true hidden treasure! I was in town for the Chicago Marathon and wanted to experience something that I hadn't heard about. I found this museum nearby and was super intrigued by the concept. I checked it out and wow! For only being a single floor, it has so much material to absorb and learn about. I enjoyed it so much and learned a lot about American authors, including ones from my home state of Michigan that I never knew about! The layout, interactive pieces, "photo op" sections were all wonderful. I will recommend this museum to anyone in Chicago that wants to experience something new and different!
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October 2023 by Amy
Loved it! If you love reading or writing or even just want an interesting museum to check out, you have to go. It is so interactive, and has some interesting info on your favorite authors or ones you've never heard of but will be intrigued to know more about. Plus the second half is all about learning more on how to explore your own literary imagination. Definitely go check it out!
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September 2023 by Natan Flickstein
Oh, man! Such a cool concept that I wish existed in more places. As a writing enthusiast I really enjoyed my visit to the American writers museum in Chicago. So much information in it, as well as interactive exhibits that can entertain you for quite some time. Definitely give it a visit if you're into writing, and make sure you leave enough time to write some stuff yourselves!
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August 2023 by Dianne Poole
This well-curated interactive display was impressively staffed by two young inquiring writers who researched our questions as we enjoyed the exhibits. One area is reserved for a special (rotating) feature, in our case an impressive collection entitled "Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writer's on Justice." A special reading corner is set aside for parents and young children. Both self-guided and guided (3 p.m.) yours are available. We spent two hours there and could have happily spent two more. Kudos!
