Rock, Metal, Art, And Soul: Explore 3 Memphis Museums You’ll Never Forget!
As each museum does have its own distinctive features, style, and content, visiting a museum is often a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors. Smaller museums with a focus on a single topic are especially prevalent in Memphis, and they’re an absolute delight to explore.
The Mississippi River Museum on picturesque Mud Island tells the story of the Mississippi and its significance to the city, while National Civil Rights Museum depicts the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Lorraine Motel in realistic detail. In 2014, the museum underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation, which resulted in new exhibits and displays as well as interactive technology. Read also Memphis’s Finest Tours And Excursions.
Metal is just one of the many forms of art. The National Ornamental Museum, which sits on the banks of a Mississippi River, is a treasure trove of wrought iron artefacts and displays the history of metalwork in all its glory. The Brooks Museum has a large collection of European and American decorative arts, and the Dixon Gallery as well as Gardens has a collection of fine paintings and jewels, where the pastoral setup sometimes competes with objects on display.
A fish can’t survive without water, and Memphis’ musical roots can be traced back to Stax Records as well as the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum.
Kids aren’t forgotten either, as there are a few options tailored specifically for them.
Dixon Gallery And Gardens
The museum’s impressive Impressionist collection, which includes works by Degas, Monet, and Pisarro, has been housed here since 1976, and it is only surpassed by the stunning gardens that surround what was amongst Memphis’ finest estates. For the purpose of establishing this museum, the late Hugo as well as Margaret Dixon left their home and basis to the individuals of Memphis through their wills. Work by French and American Impressionists was a part of the original Dixon collection. Exhibits that move around the country or the world tend to be small but rich in content because they focus on a particular theme or period in history. From spring to fall, the gardens host a variety of concerts and picnics, many of which are free to the public.
For Museums, the Dixon is just a little gem, to exhibits put together through curators who simply tell a story with artefacts.
National Ornamental Metal Museum
Ornamental Metal Museum Of The United States
The Metal Museum is devoted to the art and history of fine metalwork, and to the architecture and design of the American South. The exhibits include everything from piercings to antique weapons, and wandering thru the four galleries filled to artefacts and artwork is a fun way to spend time. For many Southerners, intricate gates as well as signs are a treasured part of their homes’ architectural history. There really is a having to work blacksmith shop on-site for visitors to see and learn from. One of the most beautiful spots in town is a sculpture garden overlooking the Mississippi River.
The museum’s on-site blacksmith shop allows visitors to get a hands-on look at the art of metalwork, as well as a chance to learn about it.
Children’s Museum Of Memphis
Youths rejoice! Everything in this museum is meant to be touched! There are a lot of kid-friendly exhibits and activities on display here. Waterworks, health, recycling, housing construction, money, and transportation are just a few of the many exhibit topics. Painting, sculpting, as well as weaving are all available in a dedicated theatre area, as are costumes & puppets for putting on plays. There are motion simulators, hot air balloons, and also a mini-van that children can “drive” and “repair” in transportation exhibits. Whenever the weather permits, visitors can take advantage of the new splash / play area that opened in 2013. The Skyscraper, a multi-level, vertical maze for children over four, is one of the most popular exhibits. Toddlers have their own Playscape, complete with a toddler-sized treehouse, as well as plenty of other things for them to discover and play with. There is also a gift shop and a small cafe on the premises.
This is the city’s best family-friendly attraction aside from the Zoo.