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    W C Handy Museum & Gallery

    3.8 (10 reviews)

    W C Handy Museum & Gallery Photos

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    Worth the visit to Beale Street!
    Jerry M.

    Worth it! The importance of W.C. Handy to American music, and specifically the blues, cannot be overemphasized. Son and grandson of preachers, he was expected to become a preacher but his soul's desire was to pursue music, and we are all so happy that he did! (And he ultimately did become a preacher, spreading his ministry through his incredible music!) Handy was born in Alabama but his family moved to Memphis when he was a boy. The house was located elsewhere but relocated to Beale Street, just a couple of blocks from the park that bears his name, because of his importance to American music, jazz, and the blues. The house is tiny but is packed with history and ephemera of Handy. Our tour guide, Stephanie, is a retired teacher and a wealth of knowledge of Mr. Handy. Her enthusiasm for her subject abounds and makes this short tour interesting and educational. CDs of his music, his history told in his own voice, a DVD and other memorabilia are available for purchase. Please do, proceeds aid the operation and maintenance of this important landmark. Cash only. Check the hours but BE SURE to make this a stop when you're walking in Memphis with your feet ten feet off of Beale.

    Joelle P.

    What a cute little place! Especially if you're a fan of the man. Things to know: - Cash only - In the police parking lot - 2 rooms - Super awesome tour guide

    This humble Memphis home is where the father of blues music lived.

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    National Civil Rights Museum

    National Civil Rights Museum

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    If you are visiting Memphis, the National Civil Rights Museum is an absolute must. This was one of…read morethe most meaningful and emotional places I have ever visited. The museum is very well done and takes you through the history of the Civil Rights Movement in a way that is both educational and powerful. There is so much to read, see, and experience that we spent several hours here and still felt like we could have spent more time. The most moving part of the visit was seeing the Lorraine Motel and standing outside Room 306, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spent his final moments. It is hard to describe the feeling of being there in person. As a teacher and a parent, I especially appreciated how the museum encourages important conversations about history, equality, and justice. The exhibits are thoughtfully put together and tell stories that everyone should hear. I would definitely recommend wearing comfortable shoes and giving yourself plenty of time because this is not a place you want to rush through. The experience stays with you long after you leave. This was one of the highlights of our trip to Memphis and a place I believe everyone should visit at least once.

    Whoever put this museum together did a fantastic job. The service was top notch and the security…read moreteam were efficient. Very much appreciated. This museum has great value and worth every cent to keep it up and running. Our time there walking around was informative and, of course, heart breaking. Seeing the site of the MLK, Jr assassination just made me cry. I could not stop. My heart was breaking from the walk through to his assassination. But worth every step. Thank you to everyone who make this museum possible.

    Photos
    Lunch counter
    Lunch counter
    The Lorraine Hotel
    The Lorraine Hotel
    Lorraine Motel Sign

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    Lorraine Motel Sign
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    I'm so excited I was finally able to scratch a visit to Sun Studios off of my Memphis to-do list…read more For music history lovers it's one of the most iconic places to make a pilgrimage to stand where some of the greats stood as they recorded hit songs that have remained relevant more than 80 years later. You can't reserve tours online and are available on a first come first serve basis and take place at the half hour mark. I arrived at about 12:15 and despite the 12:30 tour being removed as available for the tour board the employee at the front kindly let me slide into the 12:30 tour group. It's a small building but A LOT of history and memorabilia are packed into the building . The guided tour begins on the second floor where there is a small single room with musuem exhibits and items from the early days of Sun Records. After spending time here you'll be taken back downstairs to spend time in the actual recording studio. In total the tour lasted about 45 minutes and you were able to linger at the end without feeling rushed to take photos with THE microphone and soak in the energy of the space. If you're any kind of music lover you can't miss this building where so much pop culture and music history was made.

    This place is sorta small but it packs a punch. It has some unique memorabilia and good photo ops…read moreand a whole lotta history. Our guide was very funny and knowledgeable (and he's a musician to boot!). We did the tour and the upstairs part has a recreation of the Dewey O DJ booth which is very cool. There is even a "smash" hit record on the floor in the booth! Inside museum cases are some original equipment and posters, etc. of some of the greats signed by Sun Studio. The downstairs recording studio (still in use daily) is timeless with an original microphone and the piano that the greats once played while recording. . We got to pose with the microphone and see lots of real equipment actually used by the likes of Elvis, Sam Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, etc. And of course, some of the original recording equipment used by founder Sam Phillips. The gift shop and small bar up front are a great touch both before and after the tours. Don't miss this legendary place.

    Photos
    Wife on the original mike
    Wife on the original mike
    Famous sign of Elvis's previous employer
    Famous sign of Elvis's previous employer
    Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis and Johnny Cash all at the piano in a jam session.

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    Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis and Johnny Cash all at the piano in a jam session.

    W C Handy Museum & Gallery - museums - Updated June 2026

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