Rediscovering Wonder and Wisdom at Planet Word Museum

Some days we need a little inspiration. And, truth be told, sometimes we need a lot.

The current times fall into the latter, at least for me and likely for many of you as well. But when individuals and families a continent away are calling out for food, shelter and salvation during a brutal new war, it can feel selfish to seek amusement or simple joys. And even when we do, it can be hard to immerse yourself, to truly benefit from the experience.

Fortunately, I recently stumbled upon a magical place in downtown DC that somehow evaded my stifling instincts. That place is Planet Word, an innovative DC museum on a mission to nurture a love of words, language and reading. My visit there proved a worthy diversion, reawakening a sense of childhood wonder. The concept and execution so impressed me that I immediately wanted to share it with you all, my writing clan. So please sit back and allow me to take you on a virtual visit to the nation’s first and only museum devoted to the power of words.

An Innovative Museum in a Historic Setting

Planet Word feels special from the moment you enter the grounds. An eye-catching canopy sculpture reminiscent of a weeping willow greets you – literally – as you amble through the courtyard to the main entrance. Contemporary artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer’s aptly named Speaking Willow consists of dozens of dazzling concave speakers dangling from artificial branches, each lighting up while voicing a song, saying or poem in one of over 400 languages when activated by motion below. The small gathering on the morning of my visit provoked quite the cacophony as we passed beneath it, as if we had disturbed a flock of slumbering birds. The effect is hypnotic, nudging visitors to open their ears and their minds before stepping inside.

The building itself is steeped in history. Completed in 1869, the Franklin School was the flagship of eight urban public schools constructed to form the first comprehensive free universal public school system in the nation’s capital. Architect Adolf Cluss, who also designed the Smithsonian Institution Arts and Industries Building, incorporated several modern innovations into the ornate 5-story red brick structure, including turreted octagonal ventilation towers and vaulted-ceiling classrooms with oversized windows and semicircular raised instructor platform niches to allow clear sightlines and improve acoustics. The building served as a model for public schools of the late 19^th century and was featured in several international exhibitions following its construction for its success at fostering a healthy, aesthetically pleasing learning environment.

Another surprising historical note, which seems predestined given its current incarnation, is that in 1880 the Franklin School was the site of the first wireless call – you read that correctly – when Alexander Graham Bell transmitted a voice message via a beam of light from the building roof to his laboratory offices a few blocks away. Bell later said the invention, which he named the “photophone,” was his greatest achievement, as he recognized its significance a full century before fiber-optic cables would revolutionize global communications.

Immersive Experiences, Both Nostalgic and Novel

Planet Word is a laudable descendent to such endeavors. Following a two-year, $50 million dollar restoration, the museum opened in October 2020 during the midst of the COVID pandemic. Three-levels of exhibits, plus additional classroom and auditorium space, now occupy the interior. Visionary founder Ann Friedman describes it as the world’s first voice-activated museum, and cutting-edge technologies enable a variety of experiences. What I found enchanting was how the exhibits represented a mix of the familiar and the fantastical.

The Spoken Word lands decidedly in the latter category. A 12-ft LED globe occupies the center of a bright, spacious gallery, surrounded by several podium screens of various heights to accommodate a diverse range of guests. Stepping up to a podium activates an interactive exchange with “language ambassadors” from around the world, corresponding with the continental regions displayed before you. Each ambassador shares history and unique cultural aspects of his or her native tongue, while offering tips on pronunciation and inviting the visitor to practice a few expressions, punctuated by colorful visual rewards which burst across the face of the centerpiece globe when certain words are voiced. Those displays and the rippling sound of the individual tête-à-têtes throughout the gallery are transportive, like lingering in a plaza where a UN delegation has set out for a night of dining and conversation.

Equally innovative yet decidedly more nostalgic is the Great Library gallery on the second level, at the very heart of the museum. There, warm lighting and tall bookshelves harken back to grand reading rooms and quiet parlors. Classic titles for young and old, from ancient to new, line the shelves. At first I simply admired the rows of books while absorbing the wise and witty (and relevant) quotes about libraries adorning the walls. But eventually I realized the long reading desk in the center possessed its own wizardry. Opening a book on the desk surface triggers a visual and aural book report, during which a fan of the chosen title explains their love for it – what drew them to it, what lessons they learned, and how it expanded their horizons or changed their point of view. I found myself lingering, pulling titles from my youth as well as ones I have yet to read. The exercise brought back the giddiness I felt when I first discovered the school library or when visiting the bookmobile that used to park down the street from my childhood home.

I could go on, for there are ten gallery experiences, plus another under construction, along with hidden nooks and discoveries along the way. In them they explore a range of topics, including but not limited to the innate wiring we possess for language, word origins, songwriting techniques, verbal cues in jokes, and keys to an effective speech. Suffice to say there are ample opportunities to tap into parts of the brain that, even as writers, we may sometimes fail to appreciate … or to stimulate.

A Larger Mission and Message

Make no mistake – Planet Word is fun! Witty word play is sprinkled throughout, and I saw families and children joyfully engaged on every level. The karaoke lyric room was a big hit, as was the interactive origin of words presentation. But the museum serves a greater purpose, with a mission rooted in the belief that literacy is fundamental to the health of democracy. That’s a lesson sorely needed today. So much so that, as much as I loved the escape, I nearly teared up at the end while recording a brief video about my visit in the museum story studio.

I think it is only fitting I close this post with the sentiments I shared in that message. Just before the doors to the museum, after passing beneath the speaking willow, sits an ethereal sculpture entitled Silver Adagio, crafted by renowned Spanish artist Jaume Plensa. In the sculpture, strips of stainless steel form symbols from nine different writing systems from across the ancient and modern worlds, all molded together to create the shape of a kneeling figure. The nearby artist statement explains that the meditative pose and diverse symbols are meant to remind us that we are not merely bodies, but spirits that use language to express ourselves and to connect with others. Of all the wondrous epiphanies experienced during my visit, that is the message that resonated most deeply. It is a lovely reminder of our role, our duty, as writers. And it is a lesson I plan to carry with me from my day at Planet Word.

I wish all of you could visit Planet Word. If you are ever in DC, you simply must make time for it. But I hope all of you have ways of reengaging your writing spirit in your own communities. How do you reinvigorate your love of words and language? What activities replenish your creative reservoir? Do certain museums or exhibits or performances speak to you, figuratively or literally? If so, please share them so we can build a network no matter where we may find ourselves when the thirst hits. Thank you!