C.S. Lewis’s Rare Letter and Spiritual Journey Take Center Stage at Museum of the Bible

The Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. is inviting visitors to step into the transformative story of C.S. Lewis—a man who once declared himself an atheist and later became one of Christianity’s most compelling voices.

The new exhibit, “C. S. Lewis and the Myth That Became Fact,” explores not just Lewis’s epic conversion, but also the nuances of his philosophical and literary journey. One of the centerpiece attractions is a rare letter, written by Lewis to a Mr. Rooke on December 8, 1937, several years after he'd found his faith. If only our text messages had this kind of historical staying power.

Wesley Viner, associate curator at the museum, explained that the letter is part of a correspondence on the nature of poetry, knowledge, and Christianity. In it, Lewis muses that while great poets have a vision that amounts to “knowledge in the deepest sense,” he pushes back against the idea that poetry must only grapple with grand themes like truth, faith, or God. Instead, he jokes that some of the world’s finest poetry deals with topics as basic as “men sticking bits of pointed metal into each other in a quarrel.” Lewis’s point? There’s truly no such thing as a trivial subject—every detail of life is ripe for exploration.

Alongside the letter, the exhibit offers first and rare editions of Lewis’s works, providing a tangible connection to the writer whose books have sparked faith journeys across generations. As Museum CEO Carlos Campo pointed out, classics like Mere Christianity have been gateways for adults, while The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe has introduced Lewis’s worldview to children and grandchildren alike. It’s a hand-me-down spiritual awakening, courtesy of Narnia.

Campo highlighted Lewis’s intellectual prowess, noting that he was as well-versed in John Milton as he was in the Bible, yet he still became a standard-bearer for Christian faith. Not bad for a former skeptic.

To mark Lewis’s legacy, the Museum of the Bible will also be presenting his beloved Narnia tales—most notably staging The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in its World Stage Theater. The exhibit runs until February 14, 2026, so there’s plenty of time to catch a glimpse of literary and spiritual history in one trip.