One of Detroit’s claims to fame is that it is the birthplace of Motown Records, an iconic giant in the music industry that helped launch the careers of such recording superstars as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Jackson Five, the Temptations, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye and The Four Tops. Today, visitors can learn about the roots of Motown Records and its impact on 20th century pop culture at the Motown Historical Museum.
A Bit of History About Motown With an $800 loan from his family, Berry Gordy, Jr. founded the Motown record label in 1959 when he purchased a small house on West Grand Boulevard in Detroit that was formerly a photographer’s studio and promptly christened it “Hitsville USA.” He converted the house into a recording studio and administrative offices for his new company and used it as his home. Eventually Gordy acquired 8 houses on West Grand Boulevard and filled them with offices, equipment, recording studios and the talents of songwriters, house musicians, arrangers and talent to create Motown’s unique sound.
The houses were open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day between 1959 and 1972 and Motown became the largest independent record company in the world by the mid- 1970’s. Motown’s headquarters moved to downtown Detroit in 1968 and eventually to Los Angeles.
Motown Historical Museum Founded in 1985 by Esther Gordy Edwards to preserve the Motown Record Corporation’s legacy, the Motown Historical Museum is located in two adjacent and connected houses (of the 8 purchased by Berry Gordy, Jr.) on West Grand Boulevard
Upon entering the museum for the 90 minute tour, visitors are greeted by a hallway filled with historic photographs of Motown’s famous recording artists and then are shown a short film about Berry Gordy, Jr. and the history of the record label.
The Gallery exhibit shows how Motown grew from a small record company to one of the world’s most influential entities in the recording industry. Among the memorabilia visitors can view are rare photos, costumes (including Michael Jackson’s original hat and white sequined glove) and stage uniforms of the performers, early promotional materials and sheet music.
Restored to its 1959-1960 appearance, visitors can also see Berry Gordy, Jr. ‘s apartment in the house that served as home to Gordy and his family. Among some of the original furniture is a living room sofa, a master bedroom set and a dining room table that at one time was used as the “shipping department” in the early days of Motown.
Visitors can also tour the original control room and its equipment, including a multi-track recording console and they can see “Studio A” with its original instruments and equipment. And don’t forget to clap and sing in the Echo Chamber and experience the early reverb sound that appeared in so many Motown produced songs.
Also as part of the tour, visitors can have their photos taken next to the original microphones and equipment used by the celebrities to record their hits. You can even sing and dance on the original dance floor.
Admission to the Motown Historical Museum is $10 for adults and the cost for Seniors and children 12 and under is $6. Hours for the museum are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.. The Museum is closed on Sunday and Monday. The museum is open on Mondays during July and August. The museum is wheelchair accessible.
Absolutely no photographs or video cameras are permitted in the museum.
The Motown Historical Museum is located at 2648 W. Grand Boulevard in Detroit, Michigan. It is approximately a 2.5 hour drive from Cleveland to Detroit. 313-875-2264.