Founded in 1916, this is the oldest and largest art museum in the State of Tennessee.  The original building is a U.S. National Landmark and is a beautiful Beaux-Arts building designed by James Gamble Rogers in 1913.  It was donated to the city by Bessie Vance Brooks in memory of her husband, Samuel Hamilton Brooks.  For many years the name was Brooks Memorial Art Gallery and the collection consisted of a group of English and Flemish portraiture and a few American artists.   And this was the only museum in Memphis until 1930.

Bessie Vance Brooks

Member's Reception

Maineri

Rubens

Canaletto

The building was given to the city in the late 1920s by Clarence Saunders, the founder of Piggly Wiggly.   He had built the mansion as his own residence, but lost the home because of financial reversals on Wall Street.  The city turned the mansion into a much-needed museum and it officially opened in 1930 as the MEMPHIS MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AND INDUSTRIAL ARTS.  

Museum Wing

Vintage Exhibit

Vintage Exhibit

Lichterman Nature Center
5992 Quince Rd

Magevney House
198 Adams Av

Coon Creek Science Center
2985 Hardin Graveyard Rd

    Mallory-Neely House
     652 Adams AV

Chucalissa was founded in 1956 after Indian mounds were rediscovered at the site of T.O. Fuller State Park.  They had originally been discovered in the 1930s when workers were preparing this area to become "Shelby County Negro Park" as per Jim Crow laws, in effect at this time.  After the re-discovery, the site of the mounds was developed into a laboratory for training archaeologists and as a place to educate the general public. Today, the museum houses artifacts found at the site and a replica of a Native American village. In addition, Chucalissa also hosts the annual Choctaw Indian Heritage Festival each August, as well as other events throughout the year.  Before Europeans set foot upon the Mississippi Valley, American Indians had developed a vibrant and sophisticated culture in this area.  The C. H. Nash Museum, which opened in 1956, allows visitors to explore the life and ways of these people.  The museum is operated by the University of Memphis.

Vintage Postcard

Basket Exhibit

1950s Postcard

1957

1957 1st Holly planting

Early Iris Volunteers ...

Spring Bulbs

Japanese Bridge

Goldsmith Room

... the "New" Museums... alphabetically

 

This museum, founded in 1998 was formerly known as Peabody Place Museum.  Its holdings, including one of the largest jade collections in the country, were collected by Jack Belz and his wife Marilyn.  Included are Chinese art from the Qing Dynasty and contemporary Judaica art.  Currently there are over 1400 objects in 5 permanent exhibition galleries.  Special exhibits are brought in semi-annually.    The Dynasty Room is located adjacent to the Belz Museum and is a "special events" venue,  decorated with Chinese antique furnishings, well suited for receptions, parties, or small groups.  Hours at the museum:  Tue-Fri 10 - 5:30, Sat-Sun 12 - 5.

Exhibit

Exhibit

Mr. and Mrs. Belz

Dynasty Room

Opened in 2015 this museum is a gem for serious blues fans.  There are exhibits in 10 individualized galleries, which exposes, educates, and entertains visitors to all that is blues.  Highlighted are the over 400 inductees.   There are interactive touch screen displays along with three master databases where one can hear the music, watch videos, and read stories of each of the inductees.  The museum's mission is to preserve blues heritage, celebrate blues recording and performance, expand worldwide awareness of the blues, and ensure the future of the uniquely American art form.  The museum is open Monday-Saturday 10 - 5, Sunday 1 -5.

Entrance at Night

Entrance

Bench

Gallery 3

Gallery 7

Gallery 8

James Cotton

Sign and Logo

Founded in 1972, The Center is a non-profit cultural organization whose mission is to preserve, defend, protect and promote the music, culture, arts, and rhythms of the South.  They produce documentary films and maintain a large archive of video and audio recordings of music and narratives, historical photographs, film and slides, and selected artifacts and art.  They also have a gallery that shows and sells regional folk art and photographs as well as a cafe featuring live performances by local blues, folk, Latin, and jazz musicians.  The center sponsors the annual Memphis Music and Heritage Festival.

This Children's Museum is located in the former National Guard Armory Building, which dates from 1941-42.  Harriet McFadden happened to read an article about the Children's Museum of Boston and was so taken with it that she began pursuing a similar museum for Memphis.    Mars Widdicombe also had a dream of starting a similar museum in Memphis.  They got together in 1985 to talk about their dream.  In 1988 they found a friend  in Mayor Dick Hackett who helped them find the old Armory Building location.  They signed a 25 year lease, renting the building for $1 a year and found financing from the Trammell Crow Company and the Plough Foundation.  From that moment their goal changed to having the the best children's museum in the country.  There are a lot of parents and children who will tell you that they have succeeded.   The museum is open 7 days a week, 9 - 5

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Color and Light.  Ah!

CMOM Logo

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Fire!  Police!

Imagination!

Yes I can...

Nice Dinosaur...

FedEx

GOOD NEWS:   THE GRAND CAROUSEL

The Children's Museum is the new home of the beloved GRAND CAROUSEL.  The carousel  has been through a two year, $1,000,000 restoration with a scheduled opening date at the Children's Museum in December of 2017.   Please visit the museum's website and make a donation to help with the renovation costs of this Memphis Landmark.

After the opening, this website has planned a major new page on the complete history of the Grand Carousel.  We had hoped to feature individual portraits of each horse along with major details around the carousel.  Two Memphis contacts "faithfully promised" on 3 occasions to take the photos for us.  As of October 2018, neither of them has taken the photos.   Perhaps some kind soul in Memphis will take those necessary photos for this planned page?

The National Civil Rights Museum is located at the Lorraine Motel, the assassination site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  It chronicles key episodes of the American Civil Rights Movement from 1619 to the present and the legacy of this Movement to inspire participation in civil and human rights efforts globally.  This museum is a privately owned complex of museums and historic buildings.  In addition to the Lorraine Motel, they include the building at 422 Main Street which was the site where James Earl Ray initially confessed to shooting King.  The Museum is open Wednesday - Monday 9-5.  Closed Tuesday.

As the largest spot-cotton market in the world it's appropriate that Memphis should develop a first rate Cotton Museum.  It opened in 2006 on the lower floors of the Memphis Cotton Exchange Building.  and in this short period it has established itself as the most important national museum devoted to cotton.  Highlights at the museum include video footage, oral histories, artifacts and exhibits which tell the story of cotton and its impact on the Memphis area and the world, as well as a self-guided audio tour of the nearby Cotton Row.  The museum has now expanded to include more interactive exhibits and a permanent classroom.  The Museum is open Monday-Saturday 10 - 5, Sunday 12-5.

Exhibit         

This museum is located in the legendary Fire Engine House No. 1 in downtown Memphis.  It's like taking a step back in time to a turn-of-the-century firehouse.  The family-friendly  museum combines history along with many interactive and educational exhibits which seek to educate visitors in the history of fire fighting in Memphis, fire prevention, and fire safety.

Gibson's Memphis guitar factory offers tours which consist of up close viewing of the facility were skilled craftsmen produce some of the finest guitars in the world.   One can see the process of binding, neck-fitting, painting, buffing and tuning of these incredible instruments.   Gibson guitars have helped shape the world of music for over 100 years.

This "shotgun shack"  is the Memphis home of blues composer W. C. Handy, who lived here with his wife and 5 children.  It has been recently restored, moved to this location.  and now houses a small Handy Museum.  The front room is decorated with period pieces.  The back room shows many photos and memorabilia from Handy's life

What began as a tribute to Memphis' legendary musicians has now opened an official museum.  In the exhibits you'll meet some of the greatest musicians of all time - those who shaped modern music and changed the world forever.  The exhibits include never-before-seen memorabilia, rare video performances, interviews, interactive exhibits, and more.  The famous inductees include Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Rufus Thomas, and others.  The museum is open daily from 10 - 7

With 3.2 acres of land, rotating exhibitions,  permanent collection, sculpture gardens and a smithy and foundry, the Metal Museum is one of the most unique things to do in Memphis.  This museum is the only institution in the United States devoted exclusively to the art and craft of fine metalwork.  See works of art, see artists work, and learn the craft and craft the art - all on the Bluffs of the Mississippi River.

This new museum opened April 2012 on the ground floor of the old Central Station.  It's dedicated to document the local history of railroad and the Memphis Trolleys and is staffed mostly by volunteers of the local model railroad community.  Eventually these railroad enthusiasts will complete a model railroad layout which captures the entire history of Memphis.  For the main museum, they are still looking for railroad artifacts and documents to display.   Watch this museum grow and change!  Expect to see new exhibits every time you visit.  There's a trolley stop right at the entrance.

This museum is part of the Mud Island River Park.  You can walk to Mud Island or take the Monorail and then take the Mississippi River Walk, a scale model of the lower Mississippi River, to the museum.  The River Museum is composed of 18 galleries and thoroughly covers the Riverboat era via artifacts and models, including two full size boat replicas which you can board and explore.  Other exhibits show different aspects of the river and its history including the Civil War, river disasters, and river music.  This is an outstanding museum.

The Rock and Soul Museum opened in 2000 and tells the story of the musical pioneers who overcame racial and economic obstacles to create the music that changed the world.  Included are comprehensive Memphis music experiences beginning with the music of field workers and sharecroppers in the 30s, the influences of Beale Street in the 40s, radio and Sun Records in the 50s, to Stax and soul music in the 60s and 70s.  This museum began as a research project of the Smithsonian Institution to celebrate it's 150th anniversary.  It's their first permanent exhibition outside Washington and New York.  The museum moved to the FedEX Forum in 2004.

This small house opened as a museum in 1997.   It was constructed in 1849 by a German immigrant named Jacob Burkle.  The home is decorated with 19th century furnishing and artifacts and documents the history of the Underground Railroad and the possible role of this house in that secret escape network.   Many believe the home was the last stop in a series of Memphis homes connected by underground tunnels.  It does include an interesting small cellar which could have been used to hide escaping slaves, who would have been able to get on boats from here to take them upriver.   This is debated by local historians.

Home     

Exhibit

Exhibit

Historical Marker

Founders Exhibit

This famous recording studio was opened by rock pioneer Sam Phillips in 1950.  It was originally called Memphis Recording Service.  Reputedly the first rock-and-roll single, Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats' "Rockett 88" was recorded here in 1951 with composer Ike Turner on keyboards.  This has led to the studio's claim as the "birthplace of rock & roll.  In addition major Blues artists recorded here in the early 1950s as well as Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich and Jerry Lee Lewis throughout the 1950s.    In 1969 Sam Phillips sold the label to Shelby Singleton, and there was no recording activity in this building until 1985.  In 1987, this building was reopened by Gary Hardy as "Sun Studio" and it's become a major tourist attraction in the city.

Interior Exhibit

Historical Marker

T-Bird

When AMUM opened in 1981, it went by the name University Gallery.  Its purpose was to host temporary exhibitions. Over the years AMUM acquired the permanent collections it houses today - Egyptian antiquities, archaeological artifacts, and tradition-based African art and contemporary prints and drawings.

This museum opened in 2011 and houses one of the most important photography collections in Memphis.  Ernest C. Withers was a Memphis photo journalist, who was, perhaps the first to cover the civil rights movement.  He took photos of all the key events, plus African-American sports figures and musicians.  The museum contains one of the largest family-owned photographic collections, and it's located in the same building and rooms that housed the last studio of Ernest Withers.  After visiting the collection, you can order copies of the photos, or visit the restaurant and lounge area.

This is, of course, the home of Elvis Presley.  It is privately owned and operated and offers self-guided audio tours of the Presley mansion, museum, and grounds.  Graceland is the second most visited home in the U.S. , right behind the White House.

This is a restored plantation home in nearby Bartlett, which dates from 1831.  It also, is privately owned and operated.  Tours are available and depict the way life was on an early southern plantation.  "Hillwood" on the property,  can be rented for banquets and other events.