DETROIT: A visit to Motown Museum

They called it the hot dog test. If you were down to your last dollar, and were hungry, would you spend it on a record or a hot dog? If the answer was the hot dog, everyone went back to the mixing studio to worked on a better version of the record. No wonder Motown records conquered the world.

It looks small from the outside, and feels larger once you enter, a bit like the musical genre that was born here. The Motown Museum, located at 2648 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit, Michigan, is the historic heart of Hitsville U.S.A., where the iconic Motown Sound was born.

The museum, housed in the original Hitsville U.S.A. building, transports visitors to the 1960s, when Berry Gordy transformed a modest two-family flat into the headquarters of Motown Records (1959–1972). Guests explore the preserved spaces where legends like The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and The Temptations recorded hits. The tour includes:

Highlight of the visit is the legendary recording studio where countless Motown classics were produced, featuring original instruments and equipment from 1959–1972. Visitors can stand where artists like The Miracles recorded “You Really Got a Hold on Me” and even sing or dance to Motown hits, as tours often encourage participation.

The restored upper flat, where Gordy lived with his family, showcases period furniture, including the orange sofa where Marvin Gaye reportedly napped, offering a glimpse into the label’s early days.

The museum also displays an extensive collection of Motown artifacts, including costumes, photographs, gold records, and memorabilia from artists like The Jackson 5 and Smokey Robinson. The main gallery rotates exhibits 1–2 times annually, with the current 2025 exhibit, “Henry ‘Hank’ Cosby, Tribute to an Original Funk Brother,” highlighting the contributions of this key Motown musician. In a case you will find a glove and hat donated by Michael Jackson.

This was more than a recording studio. Motown’s artists were often street kids. They were taught to dance, move and present themselves for concert and TV appearances and given the confidence to rub shoulders with the best.

Guided tours of 45–60-minutes, limited to about 15 guests, are led by passionate, knowledgeable guides who share anecdotes about Motown’s history, artists, and cultural impact. Our tour included an interactive element, learning a Temptations dance routine and singing in Studio A.

The on-site shop offers Motown-themed apparel, accessories, jewellery, books, and collectibles, ideal for souvenirs. Guests can purchase items like the Motown Museum’s signature novelties to commemorate their visit.

The museum is open Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM (until 8:00 PM on Saturdays, May–September), and closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Adult admission is $20, with $17 for children (5–17) and seniors. Tickets must be purchased online in advance, as tours sell out quickly on a first-come, first-served basis.

Street parking is available but can be challenging during peak times; the Park Detroit app is recommended for locating spots. The museum is accessible via public transport, with bus routes and the QLine streetcar nearby.

Photography is permitted everywhere except the Video Presentation room, but video recording is prohibited.

Situated in the New Center neighbourhood, 3.5 miles from downtown Detroit, the museum is a 25-minute drive from Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW). Nearby attractions include the Detroit Institute of Arts (1.5 miles), the Henry Ford Museum (9 miles), and Comerica Park (3 miles), making it easy to pair with other cultural experiences.

Visitors, including celebrities like Paul McCartney, describe the experience as “spiritual,” particularly in Studio A, where the “magic” of Motown was created.

The Motown Museum is undergoing a transformative $75 million expansion, known as Hitsville NEXT, which will significantly enhance the visitor experience. Key updates for 2025 include:

Public tours will be paused from October 1, 2025, to October 2026 to complete the final phase of the expansion, adding nearly 40,000 square feet to the campus. During this period, Rocket Plaza will host free public events and performances on weekends, and the gift shop and community programming, including summer camps (e.g., Lyric Project, Ignite, Spark), will continue. The Esther Gordy Edwards Centre for Excellence, a rehearsal and performance space, will also remain active.

The expansion campaign has raised $72 million of its $75 million goal, reflecting strong community and donor support, including a $4 million contribution from Berry Gordy. The project, designed by Perkins & Will, will feature interactive exhibits, a Ford Motor Company Theater, advanced recording studios, and an expanded retail experience, aiming to open in October 2026.

Hitsville NEXT continues to expand educational initiatives, such as the Lyric Project (songwriting workshop), Ignite (for high school singers), and Spark (middle school music camp), fostering the next generation of artists. These programs remain active during the tour pause, reinforcing the museum’s commitment to education and entrepreneurship.

History of the museum

The Motown Museum, established in 1985 by Esther Gordy Edwards, preserves the legacy of Motown Records, founded by her brother, Berry Gordy, in 1959.

Berry Gordy purchased a two-family flat at 2648 West Grand Boulevard, transforming the first floor into Hitsville U.S.A., Motown’s headquarters and recording studio, and living upstairs with his family. From 1959 to 1972, Studio A produced iconic hits by artists like The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and The Jackson 5, with the Funk Brothers as the house band. Motown became one of the most successful Black-owned businesses of the 1960s, breaking racial barriers with its crossover appeal.

Esther Gordy Edwards founded the museum to preserve Motown’s legacy after the label moved to Los Angeles in 1972. The museum opened in the original Hitsville U.S.A. building, maintaining Studio A, Gordy’s living quarters, and artifacts like costumes and gold records. It quickly became a global attraction, drawing nearly 100,000 visitors annually.

The museum evolved into a cultural landmark, offering guided tours and educational programmes. It was designated part of the first authenticated African American Heritage Destination. Exhibits like “Boulevard to Broadway” highlighted Motown’s impact on music and social change.

Announced in 2016, the $75 million Hitsville NEXT expansion aims to transform the museum into a 50,000-square-foot destination. Phases I and II, including Rocket Plaza and the Esther Gordy Edwards Centre, are complete. Phase III, starting in 2025, will add interactive exhibits, a theatre, and studios, with a planned opening in October 2026. The project has garnered support from donors, artists, and civic leaders, cementing Motown’s enduring legacy.

The Motown Museum offers a profound journey into music history, but visitors should plan to visit before October 1, 2025, to experience tours before the closure.

Motown museum: The hot dog question and a song from the visitors

Artists

The artists on the Motown label helped define Detroit’s image as a musical powerhouse, mainly Detroit natives central to Motown’s “Sound of Young America,” blending gospel, soul, and pop to achieve crossover success during the 1960s. The artists’ global influence, from chart-topping hits to breaking racial barriers, shaped the city as well as the record label.

According ton the introductory video: “The South could not get in tune with that music, because they were accustomed to jazz and blues, and we were receiving a new song, a sound a different kind of lilting rhythms that was happy singing. They didn’t sing: you leave me, gonna break my heart. They brought hope and what could happen and how great it could be.

“They got in tune with street level. They wanted to make music. with great stories and a great beat than everyone can enjoy. So that’s what they set out to do. The studio, once they opened it, never shut down. It’s a 24 holiday day. There was always something happening.”

Motown musicians

Diana Ross (born 1944). Lead singer of The Supremes, Ross defined Motown’s polished pop-soul with her smooth, emotive voice, delivering 12 number-one hits like “Baby Love” and “Stop! In the Name of Love.” Her solo career, launched in 1970, included hits like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” cementing her as a global superstar. Born in Detroit, she worked at Hudson’s Department Store before Motown fame.
Stevie Wonder (born 1950). A musical prodigy, Wonder joined Motown at age 11, evolving from “Little Stevie” to a groundbreaking artist with hits like “Superstition” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” His innovative use of synthesizers and socially conscious albums redefined soul. Born in Saginaw, Michigan, he was raised in Detroit and shaped by its music scene.
Marvin Gaye (1939–1984). A soul icon, Gaye’s versatile voice delivered romantic hits like “How Sweet It Is” and socially conscious works like “What’s Going On.” His duets with Tammi Terrell, including “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” were Motown staples. Born in Washington, D.C., he became a Detroit fixture through Motown.
Smokey Robinson (born 1940). Leader of The Miracles, Robinson’s silky tenor and songwriting produced hits like “Shop Around” and “The Tears of a Clown.” As Motown’s vice president, he wrote for others, including “My Girl” for The Temptations. Born in Detroit, his work defined the Motown sound.
The Temptations (founded 1960; key members: Otis Williams, born 1941; David Ruffin, 1941–1991; Eddie Kendricks, 1939–1992). Known for their tight harmonies and choreography, this Detroit-based group delivered classics like “My Girl” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.” Their evolving lineup, led by Williams, blended soul and funk, shaping Motown’s male group legacy.
The Four Tops (founded 1953; key members: Levi Stubbs, 1936–2008; Abdul “Duke” Fakir, 1935–2024). With Stubbs’ powerful baritone, this Detroit quartet produced hits like “I Can’t Help Myself” and “Reach Out I’ll Be There.” Their loyal lineup and soulful sound made them Motown mainstays, formed as high school students in Detroit.
Martha Reeves (born 1941). Leader of Martha and the Vandellas, Reeves’ bold voice drove dance hits like “Dancing in the Street” and “Heat Wave.” Born in Eufaula, Alabama, she moved to Detroit as a child and started as a Motown secretary before becoming a star.
The Supremes (founded 1959; key members: Florence Ballard, 1943–1976; Mary Wilson, 1944–2021). Originally The Primettes, this Detroit trio (with Diana Ross) became Motown’s top female group with hits like “You Can’t Hurry Love.” Ballard and Wilson’s harmonies shaped their early sound, formed in the city’s Brewster-Douglass projects.
The Marvelettes (founded 1960; key member: Wanda Young, 1943–2021). Hailing from Inkster, near Detroit, this girl group scored Motown’s first number-one hit, “Please Mr. Postman.” Their youthful energy and doo-wop-inspired sound made them early Motown pioneers.
Tammi Terrell (1945–1970). Known for her soulful duets with Marvin Gaye, like “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing,” Terrell’s warm voice captivated audiences. Born in Philadelphia, she joined Motown in Detroit, but her career was cut short by a brain tumour.
Mary Wells (1943–1992). Motown’s first solo female star, Wells’ smooth delivery on “My Guy” and “You Beat Me to the Punch” set a template for the label’s crossover success. Born in Detroit, she was discovered at a local talent contest.