Remembering Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin performs at the 2009 inauguration of President Barack Obama. ©Karen Ballard/Courtesy of Photographic History Collection, Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

Aretha Franklin passed away this morning at her home in Detroit. Her musical talents and joyful light will be sorely missed.

Johnna Miller at the National Museum of Natural History shows Aretha Franklin the Hope Diamond during Franklin’s visit for the Smithsonian Institution’s 150th anniversary celebration in August 1996. — Johnna Miller at the National Museum of Natural History shows Aretha Franklin a replica of the Hope Diamond during Franklin’s visit for the Smithsonian Institution’s 150th anniversary celebration in August 1996.

Here at the Smithsonian, preserving the legacy of people like Franklin is part of our mission, through the collection and preservation of objects, photographs, and audio recordings, as well as through expert knowledge. Here’s a peek at how we will remember Aretha Franklin.

National Museum of African American History and Culture

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is home to several vinyl records with recordings of Franklin’s hits, as well as the above photograph and a flier from the Apollo Theater, early in her career. On the NMAAHC blog, A People’s Journey, A Nation’s Story, curator Dwandalyn Reece shares her thoughts on Franklin’s legacy.

National Portrait Gallery

In 2015, the National Portrait Gallery honored Franklin with the Portrait of a Nation Prize, and in honor of Franklin’s passing, the portrait will be on display in the museum’s In Memoriam space on the first floor through August 22, 2018.

Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery

A portrait of Franklin by Douglas Bourgeois, Aretha: Mysterious Lady of Sorrows, was gifted to the Smithsonian American Art Museum in 1981. The SAAM blog, Eye-Level, offers a tribute to the Queen of Soul with selected artworks and song lyrics.

National Museum of American History

There are a number of vinyl records crediting Franklin in the collection of the National Museum of American History, as well as a photograph of Franklin singing at President Obama’s inauguration in 2009. On their blog, O Say Can You See, curator John Troutman reflects on Franklin’s musical influence.