[12] Taken together, this rich literary heritage reflects America in all of its complexity: its energy, hope, conflict, disillusionment, and creativity.

[11] Visitors can open boxes in the wall to reveal a sensory connection to that work, including smells, sounds, writing, and dioramas.

A wall of seemingly random words are revealed to be literary quotes on perspectives on being American through light projections.

[13] Visitors can also write a story on vintage typewriters, taking or leaving their work for others to continue.

[21][19] Featured panelists at the Festival included Joy Harjo, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Jacqueline Woodson, Peter Sagal, Marc Lamont Hill, Elie Mystal, and Natalie Moore.