The B.B. King Museum in King’s hometown of Indianola, MS, explores King’s 60-plus year career through the presentation of Mr. King’s personal papers, materials, and objects from his life and work, along with cutting edge multi-media and film.
The museum is designed so that visitors will experience chronologically the periods in B.B. King’s life in the larger context of a changing world, moving through an interactive environment that is visually stimulating and full of music.
The Theatre:
Start your journey through the Mississippi Delta and the life of B.B. King in a theater featuring the very latest in high-definition projection and audio technology. This presentation introduces visitors to the remarkable man known as the King of the Blues.
The Delta, 1930s:
Leaving the theatre you enter the first gallery where you are immersed in the sights and sounds of the Delta. You will encounter some of the challenges and heartaches that faced African-Americans in the early 20th century. The exhibits gives a taste of the social history of the time and a firsthand account of Riley B. King’s life on the farm as a sharecropper and tractor driver.
Memphis, 1950s:
The Memphis gallery takes visitors on an exciting adventure as Riley B. King finds his way to the airwaves of WDIA, the first radio station in the nation formatted to serve African Americans. Hear firsthand accounts of Riley’s conversion to the Beale Street Boy (later shortened to “B.B.”).
Artist To Icon, 1960s forward:
This gallery chronicles B.B. King’s development from a musician touring the Chitlin’ Circuit in the South to the internationally recognized figure he is today. The exhibit examines how the Civil Rights movement shaped the music of the time. Learn the stories of King’s work with the underprivileged and disadvantaged.
Guitar Studio:
Come on, we know you’ve got the blues in you! Within this environment, visitors can actually play instruments in an interactive environment, making their own music and creating a few of their own blue notes.