Whether you are a transplant or Memphis is where you were born and bred, there are plenty of old favorites and
new spots to explore around town. This time of year it is hot enough to make the devil sweat, so for now I am only
interested in air conditioned destinations. However this particular spot comes with a bonus, if you have school
aged children, you can visit for FREE during the summer. Just pick up a free 901StudentPassport for each kiddo (accompanying parent
also has free admission). Your passport will get you into 9 local museums each summer.
We decided to start our museum tour with the Rock’N’Soul Museum located next to the FedEx Forum, which despite
opening in 2000, I had yet to visit.
Smithsonian in Memphis
The Memphis Rock’N’Soul Museum was created by the Smithsonian institution.
The museum allows you to walk through the decades weaving together music and history. It will take you back to
the roots of the Blues and the birth of Rock’N’Roll. With the self guided audio tour, you can move at your own pace
and enjoy the music that is the heartbeat of our city!
Nuthin’ New…
The kids discovered a new favorite song, “Bear Cat” by Rufus Thomas!
Some things don’t change. Rita was amused to find her school uniform shoes featured in a 1950s exhibit.
The night before our jaunt to the museum, we were experiencing some parent and preteen tension in our
house (another thing that doesn’t change). So when I saw this mug, I decided to bring it home as a reminder that this
generational friction is nothing new, and at least it gave us Rock’N’Roll!
“Without the cooperation of total resentment on the part of
the parents, Rock’N’Roll would have had a tougher time
makin’ it.”
Sam Phillips
August 8, 2022