“All over the world, all through the races, all through everything, Motown bridged a gap...and I’m so proud of that!”
     William "Smokey" Robinson,
      (Smokey Robinson & The Miracles)

Motown Historical Museum is one of Detroit’s most popular tourist destinations. Each year, the museum attracts thousands of visitors from across the nation and around the globe. The museum was founded in 1985 by Esther Gordy Edwards. Its mission is to preserve the legacy of Motown Record Corporation and to educate and motivate people, especially youth, through exhibitions and programs that
promote the values of vision, creativity and entrepreneurship.

The museum exhibits trace the roots of Motown’s remarkable story and chronicle its impact on 20th century popular culture and musical styles. The story begins with Berry Gordy, Jr. and a small house in Detroit that he christened, Hitsville USA (now home to Motown Historical Museum). The story continues as Motown evolves into a major entertainment enterprise that was among the most diverse and influential in the world.

The exhibitions include a fascinating collection of historical photographs, artwork, music, costumes and other memorabilia from this booming musical era. Each item tells a story – from the $800 loan given to Berry Gordy, Jr. by the Gordy family savings club (the Ber-Berry Co-op) to produce his first record – to the explosive popularity of Motown’s artists throughout the world. Visitors take a step back in time as they walk through the fully restored apartment that was once home to Berry Gordy, Jr, and stand in the original recording studio “Studio A” where Motown’s greatest hits were recorded.

MUSEUM HIGHLIGHTS

Empire on West Grand Boulevard
This museum exhibit is a telling representation of the growth of Motown from a small startup business begun in 1959 to what became by the mid-70s the largest independent record company in the world. The exhibit includes models of eight houses on West Grand Boulevard acquired by the company to house its growing operations until it moved its offices to a high-rise in downtown Detroit in 1968. The display begins with Gordy’s purchase of “Hisville USA”, a house that served a dual purpose as his company headquarters and home. Visitors see the houses that made up the Motown empire from the front porch of the Hitsville house.

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