Explore The Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange

Introduction

In the heart of downtown Memphis stands a museum that tells the story of the city’s rise, resilience, and global influence: The Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange. Located in the historic Cotton Exchange building on Front Street, this museum reveals how cotton shaped not just Memphis but also the entire American South and beyond.

For decades, the Memphis Cotton Exchange was the epicenter of the cotton trade, where merchants, brokers, and buyers determined prices that rippled across the globe. Today, the museum transforms that history into an accessible and eye-opening experience. Through exhibits, artifacts, films, and interactive displays, visitors learn how cotton drove economies, influenced music and culture, and left lasting marks on society.

Visiting The Cotton Museum is more than a history lesson—it’s a journey into the heart of Memphis’s identity. It shows the wealth and innovation the cotton trade brought to the city while also acknowledging the harsh realities of slavery, sharecropping, and labor struggles tied to the crop. For travelers eager to understand Memphis beyond Beale Street, this museum is a must-see.

What is The Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange famous for?

The museum is famous for being located in the original Memphis Cotton Exchange, where international cotton prices were once set. It’s also recognized for telling the story of the cotton industry’s impact on Memphis, the South, and the world.

Why should you visit The Cotton Museum in Memphis?

You should visit because the museum offers a balanced, immersive look at the city’s history. It highlights the innovation of the cotton trade while also addressing the human cost behind it. It’s an essential stop for anyone who wants to understand Memphis beyond its music scene.

What are the opening hours and best times to visit The Cotton Museum?

The museum is generally open:

Monday–Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM

Sunday: 12 PM – 5 PM

The best time to visit is late morning or early afternoon, when you can also pair your trip with lunch or a stroll along the nearby Mississippi River.

How much does it cost to visit The Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange?

General admission prices are:

Adults: Around $10

Seniors, Students, and Military: Around $9

Children (ages 6–12): Around $8

Children under 6: Free

Group tours and educational programs are also available with advance booking.

What can you see or do at The Cotton Museum in Memphis?

At the museum, you can:

Step inside the historic Cotton Exchange trading floor, preserved with its original design.

Explore exhibits that trace cotton from field to factory, showing its global economic importance.

Watch short films and interviews that explain the cultural and human impact of the cotton trade.

Learn about Memphis’s riverfront and trade networks, which made the city a cotton powerhouse.

Browse temporary exhibits focused on art, culture, and contemporary issues tied to the cotton legacy.

What is the history behind The Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange?

The Memphis Cotton Exchange opened in 1874, becoming a central hub where cotton merchants set prices that influenced world markets. For decades, the building buzzed with activity as buyers and sellers shaped the city’s economy.

When the cotton trade moved to more modern platforms, the building was repurposed. In 2006, The Cotton Museum opened, preserving the historic exchange floor and creating a cultural space to tell the cotton story. Today, it bridges past and present, showing how Memphis’s role in cotton shaped everything from its architecture to its music.

Where is The Cotton Museum located and how do you get there?

The museum is located downtown at:
65 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103

By car: Nearby parking garages and metered street parking are available.

By trolley: The Main Street Trolley Line stops close to the museum.

By foot: It’s walkable from Beale Street, the Mississippi Riverfront, and many downtown hotels.

Insider Tips for Visiting The Cotton Museum

🕰 Plan for at least 1–2 hours: The exhibits are detailed and rewarding if you take your time.

📸 Don’t miss the trading floor: It’s one of the most photogenic spots in downtown Memphis.

🎶 Pair history with music: Visit the museum in the morning, then explore Beale Street or the Rock ’n’ Soul Museum nearby.

Nearby Attractions to The Cotton Museum in Memphis

Beale Street – Legendary for blues music and nightlife.

Mississippi Riverfront – Perfect for a scenic walk or riverboat tour.

National Civil Rights Museum – Located at the historic Lorraine Motel.

Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art – Showcasing extraordinary art collections.

The Orpheum Theatre – Hosting Broadway shows, concerts, and classic films.

Experience The Cotton Museum with Questo

The Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange tells the story of a city and a crop that changed the world. With Questo, you can turn your visit into an interactive quest, exploring downtown Memphis while uncovering hidden stories about cotton, commerce, and culture.

👉 Download the Questo app today and let The Cotton Museum be the starting point of your Memphis adventure!