One the first museum’s dedicated explicitly to celebrating the work, lives, and legacies of American writers will be opening in Chicago this month!

The American Writers Museum will open to the public on May 18. The modern museum features not only some rare literary items – including Jack Kerouac’s On the Road scroll – but also a decidedly modern approach to museum layout. The AWM will incorporate touch screens, digital archives, and recorded tours to explore the long history of writing and literature in this country. Exhibits will included a room dedicated to Chicago authors, a digital exhibit on the writing process of some American masterpieces, and children’s exhibit.

Find more exciting details on this great write-up from Chicago Magazine, or see this sneak peek video from the Tribune .