Museum dedicated to preserving the legacy of American soul music through immersive exhibits, iconic memorabilia, and the historic story of Stax Records.
General Information
Closed Monday, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day
Seniors (62+), Youth (7–12), Veterans, Military, AAA: $16
Children 6 and under: Free
How to Get There
Take Lamar Avenue south from downtown Memphis, turn right onto S Lauderdale Street, then left onto E McLemore Avenue to reach the museum.
Overview
The Stax Museum of American Soul Music stands on the original site of the legendary Stax Records studio in Memphis, Tennessee. This 17,000-square-foot museum celebrates the rich legacy of soul music and the artists who shaped it, including Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, and the Staple Singers. Visitors can explore more than 2,000 artifacts, including Isaac Hayes’ gold-trimmed Cadillac Eldorado, a reassembled Mississippi Delta church, and interactive exhibits that trace the evolution of soul music from its gospel roots to its global influence.
The museum also highlights the role of Stax Records in the Civil Rights Movement, showcasing how Black and white musicians collaborated during a time of deep racial division. Through music, the studio fostered unity and creativity, producing over 800 singles and 300 albums, many of which became chart-topping hits. With its immersive storytelling and powerful cultural context, the Stax Museum offers a moving tribute to the sound that defined a generation and continues to inspire artists and audiences around the world.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.