HONOR BLUES LEGEND
MUDDY
WATERS
by donating to help transform his Chicago home into a blues museum.
MUDDY'S
FIRST HOUSE
This historical Chicago landmark belonged to McKinley Morganfield, known professionally as Muddy Waters – the father of modern Chicago blues. It was the first house he had ever purchased. When the blues legend moved to Chicago from the South, it became a home away from home. It soon turned into a gathering place for Muddy, other blues musicians, and entertainers. They would host ‘jam out’ sessions in the basement, creating music that we all enjoy to this day.
How You Can Help
Below you'll find a comprehensive plan to preserve this historical landmark. However, this will not be achieved without support from the community and blues fans across the world. With your donation, we can honor Muddy Waters and celebrate Chicago blues properly. The home will be such a great asset to the city of Chicago, which Chandra Cooper will work on for the rest of her life.
MEET THE HOMEOWNER
When Muddy Waters’ great-granddaughter, Chandra Cooper, was born in 1970, this was the very first house she came home to. As a young adult, this would become the first home she would ever purchase. Chandra did this to save the house, capture important historical aspects of it, and preserve her family heritage. Her vision is to bring it back to the way it was when Muddy Waters was the owner.
Chandra’s daughter, Kennedi, looks forward to the day the home preservation project is complete. She recognizes it as her future legacy and believes it will be a great addition to the city of Chicago. It will provide an intergenerational connection for original blues fans and new blues fans alike. She hopes it will inspire new musicians and artists. Kennedi envisions the property to evolve into a nonprofit that would benefit students of Chicago public schools.
THE PLANS
SEND US YOUR MUDDY-INSPIRED ART
Submit your original works of art – inspired by the Father of Modern Chicago Blues – and we may display it in the museum, on the website or on our social media.
We will not sell your art. It belongs to you.