20 Important American Music Museums

20 Important American Music Museums
Museum-Map
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  1.  Experience Music Project (EMP)

            Seattle, WA

With its roots in rock ‘n’ roll, EMP is dedicated to the ideas and risk-taking that fuel pop culture.

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2. The Grammy Museum

            Los Angeles, CA

Dedicated to exploring all forms of music, the Grammy Museum features two dozen exhibits that explore the best in rock and hip-hop to country, classical, Latin, R&B, and jazz.

Museum-of-Making-Music

   3.  Museum of Making Music

            Carlsbad, CA

Composed of five interactive galleries, the Museum of Making Music, documents the evolution of musical instruments from the late 19th century to the present.

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   4.   Musical Instrument Museum

        Phoenix, AZ

Recognized as a recognized as “A Landmark of American Music” by the National Music Council, the National Music Museum houses more than 15,000 instrments from around the world.

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   5.   National Music Museum

            Vermillion, SD

Recognized as “A Landmark of American Music” by the National Music Council, the National Music Museum houses more than 15,000 instruments from around the world.

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6.   The American Banjo Museum

Oklahoma City, OK

Tracing the banjo back to its earliest roots in the US, the American Banjo Museum has a collection of more than 300 banjos.

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   7.   The American Jazz Museum

Kansas City, MO

The American Jazz Museum’s interactive exhibits bring jazz to life, as do the world class shows at held at its venues.

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   8.   River City Music Experience

Davenport, IA

Focused on America music from the Mississippi River, River City Experience, gives visitors a chance to experience music through programs and performances.

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   9.   Delta Cultural Center
 Helena, AK

        Dedicated to the cultural history of the Arkansas Delta, Delta Cultural Center visitors can explore the music that originated in the area.

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10. Graceland
 Memphis, TN

Experience how the King lived by touring his beautiful mansion, vehicle collection, and personal jets at Graceland.

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11.   Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul

            Memphis, TN

The Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum tells the story of musical pioneers who overcame racial and socio-economic barriers to create the music that shook the entire world.

stax museum

12.   Stax Museum of American Soul Music

            Memphis, TN

Located in the former home of Stax Records, the Stax Museum is a monument to the soul music of the ’60s and ’70s that launched the career of such legends as Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes.

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13.   Delta Blues Museum

        Clarksdale, MS

        The Delta Blues Museum explores the history and heritage of the blues.

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14.   International Bluegrass Museum

            Owensboro, KY

 Country Music Hall of Fame The International Bluegrass Music Museum is the only museum dedicated to the history and preservation of bluegrass.

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15.   Country Music Hall of Fame

Nashville, TN

        This 350,000-square-foot Country Music Hall of Fame preserves the history of country music through state-of-the-art galleries and 800-seat theater.

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16.   Rhythm Discovery Center

            Indianapolis, IN

The Percussive Arts Society’s Rhythm Discovery Center houses unique and rare percussion instruments from around the world, and offers experiences, programs, and performances for the public.

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17.   Motown Museum

            Detroit, MI

This unassuming home is where Berry Gordy, Jr., founded Motown Record Corporation in 1959. The Motown Museum preserves the legacy of the Motown era.

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18.   Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum

             Cleveland, OH

Through seven floors of exhibits and four theaters, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum tells the greatest stories about the biggest names in rock and roll.

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19.   Birthplace of Country Music Museum

            Bristol, VA/TN

        The Birthplace of Country Music Museum explores the history of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and traces their lasting impact on American musical heritage.

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20.   The Museum at Bethel Woods

            Bethel, NY

If you weren’t at Woodstock, but wish you were, the Museum of Bethel Woods’ interactive exhibits will make you feel like you were, while telling the story of how it all came about.

https://Makingmusicmag.com

Instead of being dedicated to one instrument, young musicians, or professionals, MakingMusicMag.com is a lifestyle resource for all music makers, regardless of age, instrument, or ability. We focus on providing educational articles teaching people how to play an instrument, but we also favor travel pieces, music related health articles, interesting news stories, and plenty more.

2 comments

Thank you for the information on the musical museum. Please take a look at our reviews on TripAdvisor and Google. I would like to invite you to come visit our musical museum.
Buddy Parker
757 303-5907

It’s astonishing to me that there isn’t a museum focused on the great American standards music genre and composers and songwriters such as Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Dorothy Fields, Walter Donaldson, Richard Whiting, Mack Gordon, Harry Warren, George and Ira Gershwin, to name just a few and singers such as Billy Eckstine, Ruth Etting, Ethel Waters, Dick Haymes, Ethel Merman, Andy Russell, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Russ Columbo, Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, Lena Horne, Carmen McRae; and the Big Band leaders like Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Harry James, etc. along with the Big Band vocalists like Helen Forrest, Bea Wain, Ella Fitzgerald, etc.; also legends like Cab Calloway, Nat King Cole, Fats Waller, etc. That would be a great museum and would draw a lot of visitors in my opinion.

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