memphiscottonmuseum.org/

The Cotton Museum, located in downtown Memphis, offers families an immersive and educational experience that delves into the history and impact of the cotton industry on Memphis, the South, and the world. Housed in the historic Cotton Exchange Building, the museum highlights the story of cotton from its agricultural roots to its influence on trade, civil rights, and the city’s development as a major port. The museum’s main exhibit gallery takes visitors through the history of cotton, showcasing its significance through interactive displays, historical artifacts, and the role of Memphis as the cotton capital of the world. Families can explore a replica of the Cotton Exchange trading floor and view exhibits on cotton’s influence on popular culture, offering an engaging look at this pivotal crop's global impact.

One of the museum’s highlights for families is the interactive Cotton Harvest Experience, where visitors can simulate picking cotton and weighing their “harvest” using traditional tools. This hands-on activity helps children and adults understand the labor involved in harvesting cotton and the technological advancements that eventually changed the industry. The museum also features an exhibit on cotton’s role in shaping civil rights and race relations in the South, providing a deeper understanding of the intersection between the cotton economy, slavery, and the Civil Rights Movement. This thought-provoking exhibit, complemented by multimedia displays and timelines, invites families to explore the difficult but important topics of social justice and historical struggles tied to cotton.

For younger visitors, the kid-friendly learning area offers hands-on activities such as planting cotton seeds, trying cotton carding and spinning, and weaving on small looms, helping children learn about the cotton-to-textile process. Families can also visit the historic Cotton Exchange trading room, restored to showcase how traders once bought and sold millions of bales of cotton, offering a glimpse into the economic side of the industry. Seasonal events, such as the Cotton Harvest Festival, and educational workshops provide additional fun and interactive opportunities to explore the museum, making it an ideal destination for families to learn about the history, culture, and influence of cotton in an engaging and dynamic way.