Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Withers Collection Museum & Gallery

    4.8 (25 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    Services - Withers Collection Museum & Gallery

    Venue rental

    Withers Collection Museum & Gallery Photos

    You might also consider

    More like Withers Collection Museum & Gallery

    Recommended Reviews - Withers Collection Museum & Gallery

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Roujette H.

    (Long overdue review) After a long morning exploring the city, I wasn't quite "satisfied" so I started at the end of Beale St. on the trek back to my hotel. Their sign immediately caught my attention and I decided to stop in. I was greeted by a Ms. V and it immediately felt like home. She was very kind and familial as she took her time explaining every question I had while telling me a handful of interesting stories. Photos of the early civil rights movement along with athletes and musicians, lined the walls throughout the studio. Early photos of Sam Cooke, Helen Washington, The Memphis 13, Amira Baraka, and Aretha Franklin are some that stood out to me. There's also an informative video in the main room that everyone should check out before perusing the plethora of artwork. The admission is free but donations are accepted. There are also photos for purchase in the rear of the gallery. If you are visiting, make this your first stop.

    Alexis B.

    The Withers Collection was one of the best things my husband and I did when we were visiting Memphis for the weekend! It's a gallery of photographs taken by local photojournalist Ernest Withers. The building is Withers' last working studio, and it's right in the heart of Beale Street. Withers passed away in 2007, and this old studio of his is now a museum dedicated to his important work (and gallery because you can purchase prints of any of his photographs). He took photographs of so many important events in American history and had amazing access to important historical figures (due to close relationships with civil rights icons like MLK and Medgar Evers and James Meredith, all shown in photographs in the gallery)! From the Montgomery bus boycott to Negro League Baseball games to the Emmett Till trial to the Sanitation Worker's Strike in Memphis and Memphis blues and soul musicians, Withers captured stunning photographs of incredibly important historic and cultural moments. They have a short video that tells Withers' story, and a staff that is more than willing to give you additional information about Withers or any of his photographs. Their hours are great (open late for those people who might want to wander in after spending some time on Beale Street), and on certain days they allow you for a donation of your choosing. If you're in Memphis for a tourist weekend (or especially if you live there), you should check out the Withers Collection Museum! It's a fascinating and important stop if you're interesting in learning about the history and culture of Memphis!

    Entrance

    Considering a lot of these issues are still prevalent today it was eye opening to see the beginnings of the Civil Rights Movement in pictures. Emmett Till's murder, funeral and the subsequent trial are all captured in photos here, this happened in 1955 and today we are still discussing why Black Lives Matter. There is a collection of photos from Dr Martin Luther King , the day of his assassination, the boycotts, the marches and a lot of candid photos. There are photos of the Negro Baseball League, greats like Jackie Robinson and Satchel Paige. Photos from a lot of the games played in Memphis. There are also photos of the musicians who started in Memphis or came thru Memphis on their rise to fame. This is definitely a must see exhibit.

    Definitely worth a visit

    See all

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Melinda G.
    60
    171
    31

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amanda D.
    58
    86
    199

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mary M.
    2860
    432
    1102

    12 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 1
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chesty P.
    0
    335
    1594

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Pam G.
    679
    374
    3101

    9 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Wonderful collection. It bring history together. Love the picture of the 3 kings. Wished I could stay longer. So much history.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of G.D. S.
    43
    552
    163

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of W E.
    84
    1
    0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of T B.
    0
    41
    7

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Withers Collection Museum & Gallery

    Review Highlights - Withers Collection Museum & Gallery

    The day we wanted to go the museum was closed and we ended up walking down Beale Street instead.

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Art Galleries 135 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Withers Collection Museum & Gallery - galleries - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...