Review: Planet Word Museum in D.C.

This week I’m writing about a new museum called Planet Word in Washington. It’s a new temple to the glorification of language and a place of worship for those who value eloquence. It envisions a literate population as the foundation of our democracy. It aims to be fun, surprising, motivational, and meaningful, and it hits the bull’s-eye.

I discovered Planet Word when I was in Washington last week for a meeting of the Institute of Museum and Library Services board. IMLS is the chief federal agency supporting lifelong learning in libraries and museums of all kinds. I mustn’t write too much about it since I’m a board member — conflict of interest — but I can recite facts. It’s the main federal arm supporting libraries, and it gives more money to museums than either the NEA or the NEH does.

About the Author

Brian T. Allen

Brian T. Allen is National Review’s art critic.

This week I’m writing about a new museum called Planet Word in Washington. It’s a new temple to the glorification of language and a place of worship for those who value eloquence. It envisions a literate population as the foundation of our democracy. It aims to be fun, surprising, motivational, and meaningful, and it hits the bull’s-eye.

I discovered Planet Word when I was in Washington last week for a meeting of the Institute of Museum and Library Services board. IMLS is the chief federal agency supporting lifelong learning in libraries and museums of all kinds. I mustn’t write too much about it since I’m a board member — conflict of interest — but I can recite facts. It’s the main federal arm supporting libraries, and it gives more money to museums than either the NEA or the NEH does.