After a decade commemorating the Gateway City’s connection to blues music, The National Blues Museum, located at 615 Washington Ave. in downtown St. Louis, announced today that it would permanently closing its doors.
The announcement went out via the Museum’s Facebook page earlier this evening:
After much deliberation, the Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to cease museum operations effective today, Friday, March 27, 2026. The museum will be closed to the general public, but we will be hosting two final performances this weekend. We invite you to come enjoy the blues one last time.
But the blues endures. It always has. And we believe the story and the music will live on.
The organization will continue to exist as the Board explores a reimagined path forward. Stay tuned, and thank you, for everything.
The penultimate event at the Museum will be Mississippi-born singer, guitarist, and (of course) harmonica player Terry “Harmonica” Bean, playing Clarksdale Mississippi blues in tribute to the centennial of the so-called “Blues Highways,” U.S. Rtes. 61 and 49. Rte. 61 starts in New Orleans, winding its way north along the Mississippi River, connecting many of the towns where the Delta blues was born. The intersection between Rtes. 61 and 49 is where it’s said that Robert Johnson infamously sold his soul to the Devil to learn how to play the blues. The show begins Saturday, March 28 at 7:00pm; tickets are $25 and, as of press time, still available. Here’s the event’s sizzle reel:
The final concert is Sunday night “celebrates great women of jazz, blues and soul,” featuring a trio of beloved local singers—Uvee Hayes, Wendy Gordon, and Kim Fuller-Barnes—singing the songs of luminaries like Etta James, Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, and Dinah Washington. The official event description promises, “From soulful ballads to powerhouse performances, this tribute honors the iconic women whose voices paved the way for generations of artists.” The show is March 29 at 2:00pm and is sold out.
The following, lengthier statement was also posted on the National Blues Museum’s website on Friday:
Museum to close to the general public today; two final performances this weekend
ST. LOUIS, MO — The Board of Directors of the National Blues Museum announced today that the museum will cease operations effective Friday, March 27, 2026. The museum will be closed to the general public, with two final performances to be held this weekend as a farewell celebration of the music and the community that made the institution possible. The Board invites the public to come enjoy the blues one last time.
Since opening its doors in 2016, the National Blues Museum has celebrated the profound cultural impact of the blues and served as a gathering place for music, education, and community in the heart of downtown St. Louis. The museum has hosted thousands of visitors, educators, and artists on Washington Avenue, honoring the legends, the unsung heroes, and the trailblazers who gave voice to generations through their music.
The economic climate of downtown St. Louis has impacted the museum’s ability to operate sustainably. The visitor economy in downtown has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels, and the drop in pedestrian traffic has been significant. The recent elimination of federal funding sources has compounded these challenges beyond what the organization can absorb. After careful deliberation, the Board of Directors made this difficult decision, one that did not come lightly.
“Serving at the helm of the National Blues Museum has been one of the most meaningful chapters of my career in music,” said Dr. Robert Nelson, Executive Director. “This institution was built to preserve the legacy and honor the history of the music that gave voice to generations, and being part of that mission has been a privilege I don’t take for granted. We set out to show people just how deep the roots of the blues go, and I’m proud of what we accomplished together. While this is an incredibly difficult moment, I believe the story of the blues will continue to be told. It lives on through us.”
The organization will continue to exist as the Board completes an orderly wind-down of operations and explores a reimagined path forward to preserve the museum’s legacy and the stories it was created to share. The Board is also encouraging local lawmakers to engage in longer-term strategic discussions about sustainable economic development in downtown St. Louis.
Ticket refunds for canceled performances are already being processed. Ticket holders with questions may contact info@NationalBluesMuseum.org.
The Board extends its sincere gratitude to the dedicated staff, along with the artists, supporters, educators, partners, and visitors who helped build the National Blues Museum into a respected cultural institution dedicated to the music that shaped American culture.
It will be interesting to see what becomes of the Museum and if it is able to continue on in another form or at another location. Keep your eye on NationalBluesMuseum.org for updates. | Jason Green
