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What is the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum?
The Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum is a music museum on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee, telling the story of the city's role in the birth and global spread of rock and soul music. Its exhibition, based on one created by the Smithsonian Institution, traces the music from rural field hollers and sharecroppers of the 1930s through Memphis' musical heyday in the 1970s and its worldwide influence. The museum frames this as a story of pioneers who overcame racial and socio-economic barriers for the love of music.
Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum
What you'll find there
- A Smithsonian-affiliated exhibition on the birth of rock and soul, with artifacts such as a rare autographed 78 record signed by Roy Orbison and a bass owned by Donald "Duck" Dunn of Booker T. and the MGs.
- A claim that Memphis appears in the lyrics of more recorded songs than any other city, supported by a song list of over 1,000 titles.
- A museum store with rock 'n' soul merchandise.
- A Memphis Music App for upcoming events, meeting musicians, testing your Memphis music knowledge and following local music news.
- Programs including a 901 Student Passport for students across Shelby County, group and party bookings, venue rentals, and a donation program called Music Feeds the Soul.
Who it's for
- Music fans who want context behind Sun Records, Stax and the Memphis sound rather than just a roster of hits.
- Families and students, given youth pricing and the student passport.
- Group organizers looking for a Beale Street venue for parties or events.
Practical notes
The museum lists daily hours of 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, an address of 191 Beale St., Memphis, TN 38103, and a phone number of 901-205-2533. Published admission is $16 for adults and $12 for youth, with discounts for AAA, AARP, military and Smithsonian members.
If you're deciding whether to go, check the current hours and any special exhibition before you travel, then pair the visit with a walk along Beale Street so the museum's story connects to the venues and studios nearby.
What can I see and do at the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum?
You can expect a Smithsonian-developed exhibition that traces Memphis music from 1930s rural field hollers and sharecropper songs through the city's 1970s heyday and its global influence. The museum frames this as "the complete Memphis music story," with a specific focus on how musical pioneers crossed racial and socio-economic barriers to create rock and soul.
What's on display
- An exhibition on the birth of rock 'n' soul, originally created by the Smithsonian Institution in 2000.
- A listening-based experience built around a catalog of over 1,000 songs, tied to Memphis's unusual distinction of being name-dropped in more recorded lyrics than any other city.
- Artifacts such as a rare original autographed 78 record signed by Roy Orbison and an autographed bass owned by Donald "Duck" Dunn of Booker T. and the MGs.
What you can do
- Follow the music chronologically, from early rural recordings to the soul and rock era, using the audio and song archive as the spine of the visit.
- Browse the museum store for rock 'n' soul merchandise.
- Use the Memphis Music App for upcoming Memphis music events, introductions to new local musicians, music trivia, and current music news.
- Share your own experience with the museum, which the site invites visitors to do.
Practical planning
- The museum is at 191 Beale St., Memphis, TN 38103, and is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
- Admission is listed as $16 for adults and $12 for youth, with discounts for AAA, AARP, military, and Smithsonian members.
- Groups, parties, and venue rentals are offered, including at 126 Beale Street.
- Shelby County students have a dedicated 901 Student Passport offer.
Who it suits This works best for visitors who want context rather than a quick photo stop: music fans tracing specific artists and recordings, families mixing Beale Street sightseeing with an indoor attraction, and school or group trips. If you mainly want live music or nightlife, treat this as a daytime complement to Beale Street rather than a substitute.
A useful next step: decide whether you want the audio-heavy chronological walkthrough or a shorter highlights visit, then check the day's hours and any group or student discount that applies to you before you go.
How much are tickets and what discounts are available?
Standard admission is $16 for adults and $12 for youth, with discounts for AAA, AARP, military, and Smithsonian members, according to the museum's own site. The page does not state exact discounted rates or whether children under a certain age are free, so treat those as things to confirm before you go.
Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum
H3 Practical notes
- The museum is open daily 10:00 am–5:00 pm at 191 Beale St., Memphis.
- If you belong to more than one eligible group (for example, AAA and military), ask which discount gives the better rate — the site doesn't say whether they stack.
- Shelby County students should look into the separate 901 Student Passport offer, which is listed as a student discount rather than a general admission ticket.
H3 A quick decision guide
| Visitor | What to check first |
|---|---|
| Adult paying full price | $16 standard; compare against any membership you hold |
| Youth | $12 standard; confirm age range and whether younger children are free |
| AAA, AARP, military, Smithsonian member | Ask for the applicable discount and bring proof |
| Shelby County student | Ask about the 901 Student Passport instead of standard youth pricing |
Next step: call 901-205-2533 or check the Visit section of the museum's site for current rates, since posted prices can change.
How do I get to the museum and what are the opening hours?
The Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum is at 191 Beale St., Memphis, TN 38103, and it's open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The phone number listed is 901-205-2533.
Getting there
- The address puts you on Beale Street, the city's best-known music district, so it's easy to combine with an evening of live music nearby.
- If you're driving, plan to park in a downtown garage or lot and walk; Beale Street itself is best covered on foot.
- Rideshare or a taxi drops you close to the entrance, which is handy if you're coming from a downtown hotel.
Before you go
- Check the official site for current hours and any holiday exceptions, since schedules can shift.
- Look at the Visit section for directions and contact details: Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum.
- If you're a student in Shelby County, ask about the 901 Student Passport; the museum also lists discounts for AAA, AARP, military and Smithsonian members.
A practical plan Give yourself a couple of hours so you can move through the exhibits without rushing, then walk Beale Street afterward. If you want to see whether the story the museum tells matches your interests, browse the exhibits page first: Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum.
Can I rent the museum or 126 Beale Street for a private event?
Yes. The Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum offers venue rentals for private events, and the site lists two options: the museum itself and 126 Beale Street. It's a good fit if you want a party or reception wrapped in Memphis music history rather than a plain event hall.
What to expect
- Two venue choices: the Rock 'n' Soul Museum and 126 Beale Street.
- Typical uses: the museum's own wording points to hosting "your next party," so think receptions, milestone birthdays, corporate mixers, or group celebrations.
- Location: the museum sits at 191 Beale St., in the heart of the Beale Street entertainment district, which makes it easy for guests to continue the night out nearby.
How to decide between the two
| If you want... | Consider |
|---|---|
| Guests to wander exhibits while socializing | The museum |
| A standalone space on Beale Street | 126 Beale Street |
| A music-themed backdrop with built-in conversation pieces | Either, depending on guest count and layout needs |
Next step: Use the "Groups and Parties" section of the museum's website to start a rental inquiry, and have your date, approximate guest count, and event type ready. Ask directly about capacity, catering rules, and whether museum access is included, since those details vary by space and aren't spelled out on the page.
What is the 901 Student Passport and how do students qualify?
The 901 Student Passport is a special offer the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum runs for students throughout Shelby County, Tennessee. It appears in the museum's own navigation and promotions as a student-focused program, but the page evidence does not spell out the exact discount, what the passport includes, or the precise eligibility steps. So treat "student in Shelby County" as the headline criterion and confirm the details with the museum before you go.
For a concrete scenario: if you are a student at a Shelby County school, college or university, this is the offer to ask about rather than assuming the standard adult or youth rate applies. If you are visiting from outside Shelby County, do not count on it — the name "901" refers to the Memphis area code, and the museum describes it as a Shelby County student offer.
How to qualify — what to do next
- Check the museum's official site for the current 901 Student Passport terms: Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum.
- Call the museum at the number listed on its site and ask what proof of enrollment or residency is required, and whether the pass is tied to a specific school list.
- Bring student ID and something showing your Shelby County address if you have it, since those are the two things such programs usually ask for.
- Ask whether the pass covers one visit or repeat visits, and whether it extends to guests.
Decision criterion: if you are a Shelby County student, ask about the 901 Student Passport first; if you are not, plan around the regular admission and discount categories the museum lists, such as AAA, AARP, military and Smithsonian member discounts.
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