The American Writers Museum, the first museum to be dedicated to the nation’s literary tradition, is set to bring a new element to Chicago’s Cultural Mile.

Opening on 16 May, the new attraction focuses on American writers throughout history to the present day and examines their influence in social, political and cultural contexts.

The museum, which is located among a plethora of cultural institutes on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, features interactive exhibits across a number of different galleries. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Museum of Contemporary Photography, the Field Museum and Adler Planetarium can all be found nearby.

The Nation of Writers Gallery focuses on authors with a distinct and unique American Voice. The Mind of a Writer Gallery looks at the way authors work, engaging visitors with games and other creative content. The Chicago Gallery explores writers from the city.

“This museum will make America’s mark on the literary legacy of the world,” said museum president Carey Cranston. “We are thrilled to have found the perfect space in the heart of downtown Chicago, just steps from the city’s major attractions. The American Writers Museum will become a beloved attraction for Chicago residents and visitors from all over the world. It will provide an exciting and unprecedented opportunity to showcase our great writers and their works in one of the nation’s most culturally rich cities.”

The museum is expected to attract up to 120,000 visitors annually. Amaze Design, a firm specialising in the planning and design of museums and museum exhibits, designed the new attraction.