withers collection museum & gallery

twintipbunny

This is a great collection of pictures. I was lucky enough to find a gentleman who worked there and let me in despite the museum being closed. He was friendly and helpful. A tour of the pictures shows the importance of the museum's work to restore the photos. Powerful.

MBphotog

I read about this place before my trip to Memphis and was glad we were able to find it and spend some time studying Dr. Withers collection of photos. He was the photographer of Dr. ML King but his collection includes many more subjects and themes. It doesn't take long to see it all but well worth the effort to do so.

BrianK623

Splendid set of photographs recording the Civil Rights movement and life during middle of 20th century. Free entry, unless you buy something.

rob-bos2

The Withers Collection is a photo journalism museum that covers civil rights movement, negro league baseball (and early MLB integration), and the Memphis music club scene. Most of the photos were taken in and around Memphis area. These are historically and culturally significant works Many of the photos on display are not widely circulated. The baseball and Memphis music scenes are particularly interesting because these subjects aren't as common or well-known as the civil rights photos.Entrance is on Beale street and free, so you can't get any easier that that. Donations go toward digitizing this large body of important work.

StephanieF556

We discovered this photography exhibit by chance while enjoying Beale St. We were welcomed into the establishment by friendly, knowledgable staff. The photo collections from Dr. Withers were moving and educational. So glad we experienced this historic stop on Beale Street!

RobertP120

We saw an article about the Withers Gallery and were intrigued. It is on the far end of Beale Street away from the clubs and bars. The gallery concentrated on Ernest Withers’ photographs depicting the history of the Civil Rights era in America. We arrived in the evening so there weren’t many people there. That gave us the opportunity to browse the gallery at our leisure. There is no charge to see the photographs. The photographs on display were exceptionally clear. All were available for purchase.I highly recommend you spend some time visiting the gallery.

IllinoisMickey

I studied Photojournalism so I already knew I wanted to go see this exhibit. I was not disappointed. There was only one other couple there and they were ending their tour. I feel like we got royal treatment by the staff (at least one of whom I wonder if he was related to Withers, but he did not indicate so). I think this is the heartbeat to Beale street's history aside from Handy Park. We were on a time crunch to make a 5 and 1/2 hour drive so the only thing I was upset with was this did not open until 4pm. But I was so happy to be able to go. Wonderfully run and please please please DONATE. I can not think of anywhere else you can see a collection like this for free.

RichardF215

This is a wonderful exhibit, it brings back memories of a time in American history that is good and bad, but it belongs to all Americans. This was the Civil Rights era and shows the photographs taken by Ernest Withers. We did not plan to stop here, in fact we didn't even know it was here, but thankfully we walked far enough on Beale Street and found it. My wife and I enjoyed the photos very much and it helped to remember an era in our lives. As it turned out we visited the National Civil Rights Museum the next day and it helped seeing these photos first.(Do Not Miss The National Civil Rights Museum) When we're in Memphis next time we will go back and spend more time looking at these photos. This is a worthwhile site to see. "You will not be disappointed"

soundergal

I stumbled upon this collection of photos by accident and decided to stop in on a whim. I could have spent HOURS looking over every individual photo. It was quiet when I stopped in, with no other visitors and I felt bad that I was on a time crunch and couldn't full appreciate the museum. It's certainly on my list of 'to-do' on my next trip to Memphis.

MaryT148

My husband and I stopped into this gallery when we were walking on Beale St.. What an amazing collection! It provides great history of the Civil Rights movement and the city.

lisamL8694QT

With the death of my aunt, my oldest relative in Memphis-my entire family visited the Withers Collection Museum as a tribute to her life and the rich history that was her life in Memphis. Wow! The exhibit includes sports, music, voting rights, civil rights and more. I was surprised to see photos of historical events depicting the Tent City of Fayette County which is where I now live. This exhibit is an awesome learning experience for the entire family!

SwissMissSD

The gallery was officially closed, but I peeked in the window while strolling down Beale Street and the owner spotted me and opened it up because she wants to share the photos with out-of-towners who may not get a chance to come back. The photos, along with their explanations, were very powerful and told amazing stories. I would recommend this to anyone!

MandiM66

This is an amazing collection of photographs! During our evening stroll down Beale Street, we stopped into this gallery. It was spontaneous, and I am so glad we took the time to browse the impressive collection of photos. It really brings the Civil Rights movement to life.

Scott82_10

Just an amazing photographic gallery. Withers captured some very memmorable monents in time. I would go again and I would recommend this gallery to others.

carrie855

My sister-in-Law just happened to walk into the Museum when we were walking down Beale Street in Memphis, TN. We were met by a very nice young man, who gaves us a very well informed tour of the photographs he had displayed. We had visited Graceland and Sun Studios, and the Lorraine Motel that weekend, but we were so moved by the pictures and the stories told by this young man, only to find out that the tour we were given about the Ernest Withers Collection, was in fact , given to us by Dr. Withers Grandson. This is a MUST see on your list when in the Memphis area. Ask for Ernest Sawyer, he is wonderful!!!!!