Behind the Scenes: A Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Curator on Acquiring Iconic Artifacts

It’s the home of rock and roll’s most sacred artifacts, like Michael Jackson’s white glove, Elvis Presley’s jumpsuits, and Jimi Hendrix’s guitar. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, houses over 10,000 items of music history—but who discovers and assembles them? Who connects with global superstars to secure their treasures?

Associate Curator Meredith Rutledge-Borger joined the Hall after earning degrees in cultural anthropology and theater, plus experience at a local historical society. She began in 1999 as a visitor services representative, a role that allowed her to "learn the Museum from the ground up," she says. Today, she curates rock artifacts for exhibits like “Paul Simon: Words & Music” and “Right Here, Right Now,” featuring contemporary artists.

Travelzoo spoke with Rutledge-Borger about acquiring Beyoncé’s outfits, preserving Alice Cooper’s stage prop, and her dream artifact to take home.

Travelzoo: Over your 15+ years at the Rock Hall, what exhibits have you helped create? Meredith Rutledge-Borger: My first major project was the John Lennon exhibit in 2000. I led curation for “Women Who Rock” in 2011. Highlights like those were dream projects. I’ve contributed to every exhibit as curatorial assistant and now associate curator.

TZ: You curated the Beyoncé collection. How do you ask artists for their items?

MRB: Very humbly. For Beyoncé, we reached out post-Super Bowl. We called at the right time, requesting her performance outfit. They agreed and expanded the offer.

TZ: How do you build a collection? Do you target sheet music, tapes, or videos?

MRB: We cast a wide net, requesting specifics for better responses. Some artists offer spontaneous items. It’s case-by-case.

TZ: For expansive careers like Lennon’s, do you focus on eras or contact estates like Yoko Ono’s?

MRB: Case-by-case. We balance availability, story, and message. For “Women Who Rock,” Billie Holiday items are scarce; Stevie Nicks or Alicia Keys offer more options.

TZ: Do artists visit the Museum?

MRB: Yes, we invite touring acts. They’re fans too, thrilled by the exhibits, inspiring donations alongside their idols.

TZ: Special tours?

MRB: Depends—public or private for security.

TZ: New inductees ramp up your work?

MRB: Yes. We shift to collecting mode: calls, travel. We always plan exhibits like “Right Here, Right Now.”

TZ: Collection size? Hidden gems in storage?

MRB: About 10,000 items; 6,000 on display. Storage rotates for conservation. Favorites: Ringo Starr’s collarless suit, Alice Cooper’s guillotined head prop (lifelike and hilarious), Dionne Warwick’s dress.

TZ: Wish list?

MRB: Artists to target via our Collections Committee. As a young institution, we’re building seriously.

TZ: Office music?

MRB: Whatever we like—or silence, with Museum music constant.

TZ: Dream item to take home?

MRB: Janis Joplin’s Porsche—it’s so cool.

TZ: Play instruments?

MRB: A little guitar. Staff had a band once, but we don’t play artifacts. It’s frowned upon. [laughs]