W C Handy House Museum

It was WC Handys house. Very small and quant. They were closed the day we stopped in Memphis.

Great museum and very informative and knowledgeable guide, well worth a visit

They don't answer their phone. They were not open. The gate was locked. It's tiny. I was was disappointed because I planned for a group of 25 to visit only to find them closed. A fantastic pivot was the Memphis Rock n Soul Museum. That was informational, entertaining, air conditioned and the staff were very professional. Oh and a heads up, the juke boxes at the Rock n Soul museum have a list of songs above them you can hear. Well worth it.

There would be no Memphis music as we know it without W.C.Handy. He is literally a giant who is largely forgotten. I'm so grateful for this small informative museum. W.C.Handy's impact on jazz and blues in immeasurable.

I learned a lot about shotgun houses in the south (it's where the house has a door in the front and back and they both line up to where you could shoot a shotgun straight through)! This museum/house was a shotgun house. So cool learning about the history of W.C. Handy and his family life growing up. Oh and you are not allowed to take pictures inside but you can outside.

They post wrong times on their website & the door. Call before you pay money to park. I wasted $30 for their negligence of their website & sign.

I really wanted to see inside this house. Despite me turning up within the time the sign said it would be open, it was locked up. Judging by sone of the other reviews I have read, it's touch and go whether somebody can be bothered to turn up to work and open the house to the public. I was really disappointed. I probably won't ever get another chance to see this historical site again.

The Museum was closed despite being scheduled as open. Should be enough tax revenue from Beale Street to keep its cultural history alive. Is there the will?

Wonderful slice of music history in this little shotgun-style house, the childhood digs of "The Father of the Blues." The tour guide was warm, engaging & very knowledgeable; he brought Handy's story to life. A short tour in a small space but a most worthwhile Beale Street stop!

I learned a lot about shotgun houses in the south (it's where the house has a door in the front and back and they both line up to where you could shoot a shotgun straight through)! This museum/house was a shotgun house. So cool learning about the history of W.C. Handy and his family life growing up. Oh and you are not allowed to take pictures inside but you can outside.

Went for tour was very informative love the history and background . Only down side is wish was more too it than one room of memorabilia and pictures.

Worth it! The importance of W.C. Handy to American music, and specifically the blues, cannot be overemphasized. Son and grandson of preachers, he was expected to become a preacher but his soul's desire was to pursue music, and we are all so happy that he did! (And he ultimately did become a preacher, spreading his ministry through his incredible music!) Handy was born in Alabama but his family moved to Memphis when he was a boy. The house was located elsewhere but relocated to Beale Street, just a couple of blocks from the park that bears his name, because of his importance to American music, jazz, and the blues. The house is tiny but is packed with history and ephemera of Handy. Our tour guide, Stephanie, is a retired teacher and a wealth of knowledge of Mr. Handy. Her enthusiasm for her subject abounds and makes this short tour interesting and educational. CDs of his music, his history told in his own voice, a DVD and other memorabilia are available for purchase. Please do, proceeds aid the operation and maintenance of this important landmark. Cash only. Check the hours but BE SURE to make this a stop when you're walking in Memphis with your feet ten feet off of Beale.

What a cute little place! Especially if you're a fan of the man. Things to know: - Cash only - In the police parking lot - 2 rooms - Super awesome tour guide

After surviving the long, arduous, and overpriced tour of Graceland I knew I owed it to myself to see the WC Handy House and I'm glad I did. I think the difference between the two museums speaks to the disparity in culture in America, but I digress. It's a shotgun house that was moved from its original location to the lot near the police station for ease of tourism (impressive!) It can be hard to find, despite its ease of location (and I think, people of color may not love crossing through the police station to get there). It's a short tour but it's worth it. The docents know a lot, and are kind and funny. It's the best stop on that street.

I visited this house that sits at the top end of Beale St during the Black Heritage Tour, which I found on Groupon. The curator is Elaine Turner Lee also over Slave Haven. The house is a very small blue shack but there's so much history inside it makes the small house feel larger. The story of WC Handy is vey important and it should be told to everyone who steps for on Beale. They'll enjoy the atmosphere that much more! Also, please do go. There are some much needed updates the museum could make likely with more funds.

WC Handy resonates on Beale street. The music he wrote here has impacted an entire genre across generations. And, who knew, that the little blue shotgun house at the end of Beale is the house he lived in while in Memphis? I could barely find it, but it was very neat to see how he lived with his wife and five kids when he was in Memphis. Of course, the home has been relocated to Beale from its original location; but I agree that its right where it belongs.. where he belonged during his time here. I was, however, disappointed that the items in the house weren't kept up well (I felt like taking a laminator to everything, there were so many loose papers around). The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and a wealth of information, though,; so if you're touring Beale, do stop here to at least see a piece of Memphis Blues history!

We really wanted to tour this museum, and waited ten minutes past the posted opening time, but nobody showed to open it up. We were flying out that morning and just couldn't stay any longer. The home is small, and reasonably well kept, but could use a bit of TLC. W.C. is the man, and all of Beale Street should make sure this place thrives, as they owe a great debt of gratitude to him!

Disappointed. Prior to going we called to make certain they were open. When we arrived an hour later, the door was locked . We called again and found out that attendant was out today. We talked with a tour guide who,said he has had similar experiences . Wish we had time to return another day..