Learn about the people and the culture of the blues through the sights and the sounds of the Delta Blues Museum, in Clarksdale, Mississippi, just a little over 75 miles from Memphis. The building that now houses the Delta Blues Museum was formerly the Yazoo and Mississippi River Valley Railroad Depot, and is closing in on nearly 100 years old. It was here in Clarksdale that W.C. Handy, "Father of the Blues", first heard the blues in it's rawest form. Countless self-taught, self-styled, blues musicians who sang from the darkest parts of their hearts and souls came and went. Clarksdale has been noted as a town that produced more blues artists than any other place in the world.
The Delta Blues Museum is dedicated to educating younger generations about the phenomenon that took place in the mid-20th century, known as the blues. In the center of the museum, is a tribute to one of the most well known blues artists, Muddy Waters. The cabin he actually grew up in, stands inside the museum, and in the cabin sits a life-size wax figure of the former Clarksdale resident. The suit on the wax figure was actually once owned by Muddy Waters, himself. Memphis may by birthplace of rock 'n roll, but Clarksdale gave life to the blues.
