As the first and only U.S. museum dedicated to the history and impact of American writers, the American Writers Museum (AWM) engages with themes of independence and freedom throughout its permanent exhibits, spanning more than 400 years of American writing. This summer, AWM presents a special exhibit and Get Lit happy hour event celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence as an official partner of America250 and Illinois America 250. New pop-up exhibit Declarations: 250 Years of Writing Toward Independence, is open at AWM now through Monday, September 7 (Labor Day). Visitors can explore an 1823 William Stone print of the Declaration of Independence, as commissioned by then Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, as well as colonial-era legal documents signed by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman. Admission to Declarations: 250 Years of Writing Toward Independence is included with admission to the American Writers Museum (180 N. Michigan Avenue, 2nd Floor). For more information on tickets and hours, visit americanwritersmuseum.org/america250.

Photo Credit: American Writers Museum