Smithsonian Institution
Affiliates Program
The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum is proud to have been developed in unique cooperation with the world-renowned Smithsonian Institution.
The exhibition of the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum is the first and only to
have ever been developed by the Smithsonian with another museum.
The museum’s story first began in 1990 as a traveling exhibition titled
“Rock ‘n’ Soul: Social Crossroads,” developed by the Smithsonian
Institution to commemorate its 150th anniversary. Upon the completion
of the traveling exhibition, memorabilia was collected and the Rock ‘n’
Soul Museum was established in Memphis, the birthplace of the blues,
soul and rock ‘n’ roll.
The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum complex and
research organization. It is composed of 14 different museums, as well
as the National Zoo, within Washington, D.C., and 2 museums in New York
City. The Smithsonian’s exhibitions offer visitors a glimpse into its
vast collection numbering over 142 million objects. In fact, at any one
time, the Smithsonian can display less than 2 percent of the 142
million items it owns. And while the Smithsonian’s affiliate museum
program currently includes 92 museum affiliates in 30 states, the
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Panama, its relationship with the
Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum remains unique. The integrity of the Smithsonian
Institution is evidenced throughout the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. The
exhibition is much more than displays of guitars and autographed
albums. Through the extensive research conducted and scripted by the
Smithsonian Institution curators, it tells the story of how people of
all races and socio-economic backgrounds broke through social barriers
and racial prejudice to create America’s unique musical genres which
not only shaped a city’s profile, but changed the world’s cultural
complexion forever.