Motown Historical Museum

Detroit, best known as Motor City to the world is a hub of history. In addition to its great automobile past, Detroit turned out a musical sound that forever changed the world's musical landscape.   That sound and history is preserved at the Motown Historical Museum founded in 1985 by Ester Gordy Edwards. Dedicated to preserve the legacy of the Motown Record Corporation, the museum traces the roots of the Motown story and its impact on 20th century culture and musical styles. Motown Records was founded by Barry Gordy in a small Detroit house he called Hitsville USA.  

Now housing the museum, Hitsville USA houses historical photographs, artwork, music, costumes from this remarkable musical era that produced artists such as Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Martha & The Vandellas, Rare Earth, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Temptations and Stevie Wonder.   In its heyday, Motown Records had 450 employees. It was open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, producing hits from 1959 until 1972.  

The museum is small and intimate and always evolving. Despite its size, it is a must-see for music lovers who grew up or greatly appreciate the Motown sound. Much as it was when it was a record company, the museum has a mom and pop feel. It boasts a great little gift shop and it can be rented for small events and receptions. Detroit remains one of the nation's most textured cities, a mix of new and old with a world-class art museum.  

A stop at the Motown Historical Museum will not only add to the appreciation of the musical genre it inspired, a visit will bring back a flood of memories and attest to the timeless nature of the hits made there. This is one museum where standing still is an impossibility. As the hits ring through the small rooms, this is one museum where you will find yourself dancing from the moment you step inside and until you head out down the neighborhood sidewalk.

- by Lori Rotenberk , Detroit Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Lori Rotenberk

Lori Rotenberk graduated from Drake University and is a Chicago-based journalist whose work has appeared in The Boston Globe, Newsweek and various magazines. She worked as a staff reporter on The Chicago Sun-Times, the suburban section of The Chicago Tribune and The Des Moines Register. In addition, she has studied fiction writing in adult education at the University of Chicago.