Stax Museum of American Soul Music facts for kids
 |
|
| Established | May 2003 |
|---|---|
| Location | 926 East McLemore Avenue Memphis, Tennessee United States |
| Type | Soul music museum |
| Public transit access |  MATA |
The Stax Museum of American Soul Music is a cool place in Memphis, Tennessee. It's a museum that celebrates the amazing history of soul music. You can find it at 926 East McLemore Avenue, which is the exact spot where the famous Stax Records studio used to be.
Stax Records helped many legendary artists become stars. Some of these include Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, the Staple Singers, and Booker T. & the M.G.'s. The museum opened its doors on May 2, 2003. It celebrated its 20th birthday in 2023.
The museum is run by a group called the Soulsville Foundation. This foundation also manages the Stax Music Academy and The Soulsville Charter School. All three are on the same campus in a neighborhood called Soulsville U.S.A.
Contents
History of the Stax Museum
.jpg)
Stax Records closed down in 1976. The studio building was sold for a very small amount of money. A church bought it, hoping to use it as a community center. However, their plans didn't work out.
The building slowly fell apart over time. Even though many people tried to save it, the original studio was torn down in 1989. By 1998, the neighborhood around it also looked run down.
A group of people from Memphis, along with some generous donors and former Stax artists, decided to help. They started a plan to bring the area back to life. This plan included building a museum to honor Stax Records and all American soul music. They also wanted to create a music school for young people.
Construction on the Stax Museum began in April 2001. The Stax Music Academy opened in 2002. The museum itself welcomed its first visitors on May 3, 2003.
What You'll See at the Museum
The Stax Museum is a copy of the original Stax recording studio. It even has the same sloped floor as the famous Studio A. It's a big museum, about 1,580 square meters (17,000 square feet).
Inside, you'll find many cool things to see and do. There are interactive exhibits, videos, films, and old photographs. You can see original instruments used to record hit songs. There are also stage costumes and vintage recording equipment.
The museum has over 3,000 items from the past. Some special exhibits include a real church from 1906. It was moved from the Mississippi Delta and rebuilt inside the museum. This shows how gospel music influenced soul music.
You can also see the Soul Train dance floor. Another highlight is Isaac Hayes' amazing 1972 Cadillac Eldorado. It's custom-built, peacock-blue, and has gold trim! There's also a nearly exact copy of the original Stax Records Studio A.
Newer items in the museum include Jim Stewart's violin. He was the founder of Stax Records. You can also see Skip Pitts' guitar and the special pedal he used. This was for recording Isaac Hayes' famous song ""Theme From Shaft"."
The museum also has Floyd Newman's saxophone, which turned 100 years old in 2017. And don't forget the Academy Award statue that Isaac Hayes won in 1972 for "Theme From Shaft."
Celebrating Soul Music History
The Stax Museum is one of the few museums in the world focused on soul music. It celebrates the history of Stax Records and its artists. These include Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, and the Staple Singers.
But it also features other famous soul music labels. These are places like Motown from Detroit, Hi Records, and Atlantic Records. Visitors can watch old videos of artists who weren't on Stax. You might see Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye.
The museum is a popular place for tourists. It also helps the local community. It offers free events all year for people living in the Soulsville U.S.A. neighborhood. These events include concerts, listening parties, and film screenings. They also have special Family Days designed for children.
In February 2022, the Stax Museum was added to the United States Civil Rights Trail. This is a big honor. TIME magazine called the Stax Museum "The Most Authentic American Experience in Tennessee." It also won the 2015 Tennessee Governor's Arts Award.
The Soulsville Foundation's Work
The Soulsville Foundation runs the Stax Museum. It also supports two other important places nearby.
Stax Music Academy
The Stax Music Academy is a place where middle and high school students learn about music. They get help and guidance through music lessons and special performances. Students also get ready for college and other opportunities. Since 2008, every senior at the academy has been accepted into college. Since 2021, all seniors have received music scholarships for college.
In 2019, Justin Timberlake and the Levi's Music Project visited the academy. They set up a special songwriting lab. This has helped students create more original music. They also learn about the music business.
The Soulsville Charter School
The Soulsville Foundation also runs The Soulsville Charter School. This school helps students get ready for college. It has strong academic classes like math, language arts, and science. Students also learn music, including strings orchestra, band, and choir.
Their Soulsville Symphony Orchestra has performed for famous artists. These include Stevie Wonder, John Legend, and Isaac Hayes. Since 2012, every senior at the school has been accepted into college or another educational path.
See also
- List of museums in Tennessee
- List of music museums
- Memphis soul
- Stax Records
