Motown Museum in Detroit to Premiere New Psychedelic Soul Exhibit

In April, the Motown Museum in Detroit will premiere “Psychedelic Soul: A Journey Through Rhythms and Time,” a new exhibition exploring the evolution of the Motown Sound during one of the most transformative periods in music history.

It will be the first exhibit presented at the Esther Gordy Edwards Centre for Excellence, the Museum’s new 38,000-square-foot space that opened in 2025 to honor founder Esther Gordy Edwards and accelerate the institution’s future through community engagement, education, and creative exploration.

Gordy Edwards, during the mid-1960s, served as vice president and CEO of Motown Records, which was founded by her younger brother, Berry, in 1959. A graduate of Cass Technical High School and Howard University, she created the Motown Museum and served as its president for many years.

While public tours of the original Hitsville U.S.A. campus remain paused during the Museum’s ongoing expansion project, Motown Museum is utilizing the Esther Gordy Edwards Centre for Excellence to welcome guests, offer a curated exhibition experience, and continue sharing the Motown story.

The period from 1967 to 1975 marked Motown’s Psychedelic Soul era, when the label expanded beyond its signature love songs to embrace experimentation and socially conscious storytelling. Guided by producer Norman Whitfield, artists like The Temptations helped define the sound with Grammy-winning hits such as “Cloud 9” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.”

“Psychedelic Soul: A Journey Through Rhythms and Time” features rare vinyl releases, vintage fashion, immersive multimedia, and artifacts that capture the cultural and technological shifts of the era. Through docent-led tours, the exhibition connects this transformative chapter of Motown’s history to its lasting influence on contemporary music and culture.

Motown Museum members can experience the Psychedelic Soul exhibit tour for free. Reservations are required for members, and can be made by calling the box office at 313-875-2264.

The exhibit will open to the public on April 17 and run through Sept. 27, 2026. Exhibit hours are Wednesday thru Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The address is 2550 W. Grand Blvd.

Tickets are available online now at motownmuseum.org.

Note: The Motown Museum retail store will be open onsite at the Esther Gordy Edwards Centre for Excellence during exhibit hours.

Founded in 1985, Motown Museum is a 501(c)(3) not for profit, tax-exempt organization. The museum is committed to preserving, protecting, and presenting the Motown story through authentic, inspirational, and educational experiences.

Announced in late 2016, the Motown Museum expansion will grow the facility to a nearly 50,000-square-foot world-class entertainment and education tourist destination featuring dynamic, interactive exhibits, a performance theater, recording studios, an expanded retail experience, and meeting spaces. It is scheduled to be completed in spring 2027.

For more information on Motown Museum, visit motownmuseum.org.