The Birthplace of Country Music Museum

www.BirthplaceofCountryMusic.org

The Birthplace of Country Music

Experience Bristol, Tennessee and Bristol, Virginia’s rich heritage at the gorgeous Birthplace of Country Music

Museum. An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the museum is dedicated to the history of early country music and to Bristol’s unique role in keeping country music alive and thriving throughout the surrounding region and beyond.

The museum tells the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings in Bristol, Tennessee, and the role that evolving sound technology had in shaping their success. Jimmie Rogers and The Carter Family made their commercial debuts during the Sessions and went on to become well known musicians. While commercial country music recordings began in 1922, the genre really took off after the Bristol Sessions, and as a result, Bristol began to be known as the “birthplace of country music.”

The building that is now home to the museum also has a rich history. It was originally built by Frank Goodpasture Sr. in the 1920s to house a Chrysler dealership. The dealership, located on the corner of Cumberland and Moore Streets, recruited automobile dealers to sell Chrysler vehicles. After the Great Depression began in the 1930s, Chrysler cut out the dealership network and began selling directly to the dealers. That change began the creation of the Goodpasture Motor Company. Later the company moved locations, so Goodpasture began renting out the second floor of the building for events such as prize fights, wrestling matches, concerts, and dances. Since that time, many other occupants have utilized the space: Palace Barber Shop, Union Shoe Store, Tate’s News, and a cab company. In 2003, the building was given to the non-profit organization Birthplace of Country Music (BCM).

Following much fundraising and community partnerships, the Birthplace of Country Music enlisted the talents of professionals to renovate the historic building into a masterpiece that would honor and preserve the early days of country music. BCM, along with Peyton Boyd Architects, studioMUSarx, 1220, ExPlus, and Hillmann & Carr, began to plan, design, perfect, and execute the monumental restoration in 2012. continued on page 38

BCMM, Performance Theater. Photo by Billie Wheeler

BCMM, Vintage Stereo Exhibit. Photo by Sarah Hauser

From page 37

On August 1, 2014, Bristol residents, BCM officials, and those who worked endlessly to turn their vision into a masterpiece celebrated the opening of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. The two-floor, 24,000 square feet building is now home to a large permanent exhibit space featuring text and image panels, a variety of artifacts, interactive and media displays, and four theater film experiences, along with a 100-seat Performance Theater; 2,000 square feet of special exhibition space where in-house special exhibits and traveling exhibits from the Smithsonian Institution and other institutions are displayed; space for educational and community outreach programs, and an extensive collection of digital content.

The current special exhibit Honky Tonk features portraits of country music musicians, their fans, and the places where they perform by photographer Henry Horenstein. On exhibit are stunning photographs over the nine-year period of 1972 – 1981. Horenstein captured scenes in the real world of country music. Some of these scenes include the early years of performers like Dolly Parton and Del McCoury along with seasoned performers such as Mother Maybelle Carter and Don Stover. The exhibit covers an era in country music that took place in music parks, festivals, and the Grand Ole Opry as well as Nashville’s Tootsies Orchid Lounge and other honky tonks. Horenstein’s photographs captured musicians, fans, cowboys, and townies as they gathered together to sing, kick up their heels, and have a honky-tonkn’ good time.

The museum is also recognizing the centennial of women’s suffrage in the United States with two poster exhibits. The exhibits include: Votes for Women: A Portrait of Persistence from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and To Make Our Voices Heard: Tennessee Women’s Fight for the Vote from the Tennessee State Museum. Both exhibits are a great way to learn while celebrating this monumental turning point in our nation’s history. These exhibits will be on display until midnight March 31, 2021.

This year has presented many challenges for everyone, and the BCM has been no exception. The Birthplace of Country Music

BCMM Circles of Success. Photo by Neil Staples

administration has the health of their staff, volunteers, and visitors at the top of their priorities and want to ensure that everyone has a safe place to work and visit. The museum was able to reopen during the pandemic due to their great efforts. BCM received a Healthy Business Certification from the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The certification ensures both its business office and the museum have a disease prevention plan that meets guidelines set forth by the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control, and OSHA for workplace health and pandemic response. So rest assured, that protocol is being enforced to help make your visit a safe one.

The museum is a great educational venue for all ages with its ever-changing exhibits and events. Its store features local artists’ pieces along with a vast array of country music-inspired memorabilia. If you are looking for a unique gift featuring Bristol’s heritage of county music, you may just find that perfect gift at The Museum Store.

If you want to venture out to the museum and spend a few hours enjoying all things country music, be sure to check out the website for current and upcoming events and exhibits so that you don’t miss something you want to experience. The museum would also be a great place to take out-of-town visitors so they can experience Bristol’s history of county music. Set in Bristol’s historic downtown, you can also enjoy a wide variety of restaurants, breweries, galleries, and shopping.

The Birthplace of Country Music recommends allowing at least 1 ½ to 2 hours to visit the core exhibits and at least half an hour for any special exhibits. Giving yourself this much time means that you will have ample opportunity to participate in the many film and interactive and sound experiences as well as fully appreciate the text, images, and artifacts on display.

If you can’t make it out to the museum in person, there are many video links on the website and on Facebook for you to enjoy.

— By Rita Dykes

Birthplace of County Music Museum 101 Country Music Way | Bristol, VA 24201 | 423-573-1927 www.BirthplaceofCountryMusic.org

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday - 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday - 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Closed Mondays Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and Easter

Admission: $13.65 – Adults $11.55* – Seniors, College Students, Military, Children ages 6–17, and Groups of 20+ FREE – Children 5 and under

* Admission prices include Virginia admission tax. Your ticket gives you admission to the museum for the full day (enter and re-enter the museum with your day ticket)