The Cotton Museum
4.3(270)
Museum
About
The Cotton Museum occupies the historic 1939 Memphis Cotton Exchange building, once the world’s largest cotton trading hub. It offers a focused look at cotton’s deep impact on the global economy, regional history, and the rise of the Industrial Revolution.
Inside, visitors explore exhibits on cotton production, trading, and its ties to slavery and culture. The museum’s compact space invites thoughtful reflection on the crop that shaped Memphis and the wider world economy.
Best for
- Educational team outings & learning sessions
- Small group history-focused tours
- Corporate cultural enrichment events
Standout features
Historic Architecture
Circa-1939 Memphis Cotton Exchange building
The museum is housed in the original Memphis Cotton Exchange, once the largest cotton trading market globally, where elite traders conducted business. The preserved space offers a tangible connection to the economic history of cotton.
Unique Regional Focus
Only museum in Tennessee dedicated to cotton history
This venue uniquely tells the comprehensive story of cotton’s impact on the region, nation, and world economy, including its ties to slavery and the Industrial Revolution, providing context rarely found elsewhere locally.
At a glance
Location & hours
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Hours
SundayClosed
Monday10am – 5pm
Tuesday10am – 5pm
Wednesday10am – 5pm
Thursday10am – 5pm
Friday10am – 5pm
Saturday10am – 5pm
Rated 4.3 on Google · 270 reviews