A tree sculpture that senses motion and whispers in hundreds of languages greets visitors to Planet Word. Speaking Willow, by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, sets the tone for a language arts museum that invites visitors to speak, sign and handle ideas.
Each exhibit explores a different side of spoken or signed language, including the history of English, how children learn words, languages around the world, humor, poetry, and how music and advertising use words. Highlights include a room-sized interactive globe, First Words, Where Do Words Come From? and The Spoken Word. On the third floor, Lexicon Lane is built like a small village where visitors have an hour to solve a mystery through language puzzles and riddles. Even the restroom walls carry playful poetry.
The museum opened in October 2020 in the historic Franklin School building on Franklin Square, designed by Adolf Cluss. It was created by Ann B. Friedman, a philanthropist and former reading teacher. Since 2022 it has hosted the North American School Scrabble Championship.
No audio tours yet
Visited Planet Word? Make the first audio tour: AI helps with the stops, scripts and narration.
We’re still gathering details for Planet Word. Share what you know and help thousands of visitors discover it.
Create an indoor map
Map the galleries so guests can navigate halls, floors, and hidden gems with confidence.
Already contributing? Log in to keep building. Once you’re signed in you can also upload exhibit photos, add tours, and expand visitor tips.
Invite friends and fellow travelers to discover Planet Word.
Discover other museums close to Planet Word. Plan a multi-museum visit or explore the area.
Wikipedia