West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center

06/20/2026

Thanks WNBJ 39 for highlighting our Juneteenth celebration yesterday!

06/19/2026

Yes, we are open today and have a very special Juneteenth celebration for you. Join us mid-day, 11-2, for J&J's BBQ food truck and live music. Bring your lawn chairs and friends.

06/18/2026

Shining the light on Tennessee’s significant Black artist who’ve made their mark on the music industry. Including our own Tina Turner.

Discover the Black musicians from Memphis and Nashville who shaped genres from blues to hip hop history.

06/10/2026

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1956, Anita Ward rose to international fame with her 1979 hit Ring My Bell, one of the defining songs of the disco era. Released on the Juana label, Ring My Bell became a worldwide sensation, reaching No. 1 on charts in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. Though best known for this chart-topping success. Before her music career, Ward earned a degree in psychology from Rust College and worked as a school teacher, demonstrating a dedication to both education and the arts.

06/04/2026

🎶🎨 Brownsville’s story is told through music, art, and the legends who shaped them both.

We’re honored to be featured in the new Soul Town Stops video as part of the Sounds of Soul Town itinerary. From the legacy of Tina Turn, Sleepy John Estes and West Tennessee’s rich musical roots to the vibrant murals that bring our stories to life, every stop offers a deeper connection to the soul of this community.

Take a look at the video and discover how Brownsville’s music heritage and public art create an experience that’s uniquely Soul Town Tennessee.

📍 Plan your visit and explore the places where history, creativity, and soul come together.

06/02/2026

Was he really the Devil’s Son-in-Law?
Born William Bunch in Ripley, Tennessee, Peetie Wheatstraw became one of the most influential and mysterious figures in blues history. Calling himself “The Devil’s Son-in-Law” and “The High Sheriff from Hell,” he built a larger-than-life legend while recording more than 160 songs that helped shape the sound of the blues.
His haunting vocals and storytelling influenced generations of musicians such as Robert Johnson and Big Bill Broonzy, but the mystery deepened in 1941. Just weeks after recording songs with titles like Hearseman Blues and Bring Me Flowers While I'm Living, Wheatstraw was fatally injured when a car collided with a freight train on his 39th birthday.
Coincidence? Premonition? Legend?
More than 80 years later, the music - and the mystery - still lives on.

05/27/2026

Here is a great recap of this past weekend’s Exit 56 Blues Fest! We hope to see y’all again next year.

05/25/2026

It was a wonderful weekend of great Blues during Exit 56 Blues Fest and YES! we are open today for you to browse the museums and enjoy learning more about our musical heritage.