Explore the powerful story of PEN America and its century of evolution from an intellectual society of literary figures formed in the fragile aftermath of World War I to a force at the forefront of today’s global defense of free expression and celebration of the power of the written word.
PEN America at 100: A Century of Defending the Written Word explores the powerful story of PEN America and its century of evolution from an intellectual society of literary figures formed in the fragile aftermath of World War I to a force at the forefront of today’s global defense of free expression and celebration of the power of the written word. This special installation examines the organization’s enduring mission to promote a diverse literary culture and advocate for persecuted writers worldwide. On display are artifacts of PEN America’s work through the decades to convene writers both eminent and emerging, campaign against censorship and book banning, and champion discourse across borders and languages. Esteemed members from Eleanor Roosevelt, Langston Hughes, Arthur Miller, Susan Sontag, and Toni Morrison to today’s President Ayad Akhtar trace PEN America’s history through letters, photographs, prizes, and posters. These archival treasures bring to life a vital literary community united over 100 years to protect essential liberties and honor the creativity they make possible.
11am - 5pm
1st floor, Leah & Michael Weisberg Monumental Treasures Wall
New-York Historical Society
170 Central Park West
at Richard Gilder Way (77th Street)
New York, NY
40.779290163698, -73.9742658
PEN America at 100: A Century of Defending the Written Word
