The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum is proud to display “Rock ‘n’ Soul: Social Crossroads,” an exhibition based on one created by the Smithsonian Institution in 2000.
The museum’s story first began in 1990 as an exhibition titled “Rock ‘n’ Soul: Social Crossroads”. It was developed by the Smithsonian Institution to commemorate its 150th anniversary. 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, including the Washington D.C. National Zoo and 2 museums in New York City. The Smithsonian’s exhibitions offer visitors a glimpse into its vast collection of over 142 million objects. In fact, at any given time, the Smithsonian can only display less than 2 percent of its objects. The Smithsonian’s Affiliations Program currently includes more than 200 Affiliate organizations in 46 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Panama. The exhibition is much more than just displays of guitars and autographed albums. 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. They have not only shaped a city’s profile, but they have changed the world’s cultural complexion forever.