The Beauty and Purpose of the Poetry Foundation

Origins & Mission

• Founded from Poetry Magazine (1912) by Harriet Monroe, the magazine became a cornerstone of 20th-century poetry, publishing voices like Eliot, Pound, Frost, Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and many more

• After a landmark $200 million gift in 2001 from Ruth Lilly, the Poetry Foundation was officially established in 2003 to elevate poetry's presence in society

Why Chicago?

Monroe’s vision of a permanent home for Poetry magazine had never materialized until the Lilly endowment made it possible. Building in Chicago affirmed the city’s legacy in American letters and created a national landmark for poetry readers and poets alike.

The Building & the People Behind It

• John Ronan Architects crafted the foundation's 22,000 ft² building at Dearborn & Superior, completed in 2011.

• Designed with poetry in mind, the structure unfolds gently, much like a poem—through a perforated zinc façade, a meditative garden, and an interior sequence of spaces that surprise and soothe.

• Awarded AIA Design Excellence honors, the building blends economical materials (zinc, glass, sandblasted concrete) with high-functioning acoustics and sustainable systems (LEED Silver).

What You’ll Find Inside

• Public garden acts as an urban sanctuary between street life and literary exploration.

• Vast poetry library (≈40,000 volumes, including a substantial children’s section), bathed in natural light with warm wood interiors and comfy reading areas.

• Performance space & gallery: designed for spoken‑word events with acoustic clarity and visual intimacy, overlooking the garden.

• Offices & recording booth for editorial and institutional work, plus a studio for youth recordings and digital programs.

Atmosphere & Visitor Experience

Entering feels like stepping into a poem—you’re enveloped by quiet, light, natural materials, and views that encourage reflection. The performance space is often compared to a chapel of sound, ideal for poetry readings without distraction .
Visitors report restored calm, refreshed focus, and a renewed appreciation for verse—even amid busy downtown Chicago .

Who Leads the Foundation

• Presidents:

  • John Barr (2006–2013), former executive and poet, led through the building’s launch.

  • Robert Polito (2013–2015); Henry Bienen (2015–2020);

  • Michelle T. Boone has served as president since 2021—bringing her experience as Chicago’s former Cultural Affairs commissioner.

What You Can Do There

• Enjoy free public events: poetry readings, workshops, panels, performances, archival exhibitions, even children’s story time.

• Explore the library and special recording studio, with listening booths and online resources .

• Visit the exhibition gallery, often paired with performances that merge voice and visuals.

• Reserve the Pegasus Room: meeting space for nonprofits up to 50 people.

The Beauty of Design

• The unusual zinc screen façade, perforated with a thousand circular holes, invites curious glances—a metaphor for discovery.

• Inside, daylight and bamboo under skylights rise beside glass stairwells, offering contemplative viewpoints.

• Acoustic detailing in concrete, glass, and wood ensures quiet reflection and powerful spoken-word delivery—no noise, just resonance .

Final Thoughts

The Poetry Foundation is a rare sanctuary in the city—a space where architecture, nature, design, and literature converge in peaceful harmony. Whether you’re a poet, reader, or curious passerby, it invites you to breathe, listen, and engage with verse as a living, evolving art form.

Plan your visit: Wed–Sat, 11 AM–5 PM; Thu, 11 AM–6 PM. Closed Sun–Tue. Events are typically free, though some require RSVP.

The building doesn’t just house poetry—it is poetry in form, light, and matter. A must-visit for anyone seeking quiet inspiration in the heart of Chicago.

Check out the video here.