Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum; Tupelo Mississippi
When you exit Interstate 22 in Tupelo, Mississippi there are plenty of things you may be eager to experience, but my guess is that you are heading to see the birthplace and childhood home of the King of Rock and Roll; Elvis Presley. Tupelo is home to an automobile museum, a National Battlefield, and also a zoo; but it is most famous for being The King’s home.
After my trip to Memphis, I was feeling a little regret for not visiting Graceland, so when I got closer to Tupelo and saw the signs for Elvis’ birthplace I had to stop.
Elvis Birthplace and Museum
At the Elvis Birthplace you will find the home he was born in, the church he sang in as a kid, the Elvis Museum, many statues, and you can watch a short clip about his early life.
I went through an Elvis stage in my pre-teen years after seeing an impersonator perform some of his classics. My Elvis knowledge was slim, but the great folks in Tupelo were happy to share their knowledge with me.
Elvis Birthplace
Vernon Presley, Elvis’ father borrowed $180 in 1934 to purchase building materials for a small 2 room shotgun house. Elvis’ father, grandfather, and uncle built the small home. Elvis’ home was repossessed when Elvis was 3 years old as his father could not make the payments for it. Today the home is located on Elvis Presley Drive and is open to the public. The furnishings are from the same time period from when Elvis lived there, and the cook stove is the same one that was in the home when Elvis was a boy. In 1957, Elvis performed at the Tupelo Fairgrounds and he donated the proceeds to the City of Tupelo, who used it to purchase his childhood home.
Elvis’ Church
As a child, Elvis would attend the Assembly of God Church in Tupelo with his mother, Gladys, and his father. Today you can attend a representation of the Pentecostal services that were performed during his childhood. You can hear the Southern gospel that had quite an impact on his singing. His minister, Frank Smith, was the one to teach him to play chords on his guitar that was given to him at 10 years old. The church building was once located elsewhere in Tupelo, but has been moved to the Elvis Birthplace and Museum park.
Elvis Presley Museum
The museum had many photos and stories of Elvis’ early days. It is a smaller museum, but contains so much history from his early life leading up to his fame as the King of Rock and Roll. You can see some of his clothing, and some of the home furnishings from his home at Graceland.
Elvis Movie Clip
There is a short movie clip that taught me so much more about Elvis than I knew. In his early years Elvis’ family was very poor but he had great dreams of giving his mother, Gladys a Cadillac. Which he did, a pink one, although she had never learned to drive. Elvis loved his mother very much and she was incredibly protective over her son. All through his years of his music career she was his biggest fan and he always spoke with her every night. In 1935, Elvis made his first public radio broadcast. At age 10, he won second place in a talent show and was able to enjoy $5 worth of ride tickets for the fair.
An Incredible Legacy
Elvis lived an incredible life, but I think the most fascinating part was that he had to work for his fame. He wasn’t born into a family of wealthy musicians, but born into poverty. His entry into the world was not one of fortune and fame. His twin brother was still-born, and his mother was very sick after his birth. The Presley family moved to Memphis in 1948 to seek better job opportunities. Elvis enjoyed singing and after attempting to get singing gigs and being turned down he became a truck driver. In 1956 Elvis entered into his first contract with RCA, at the young age of 20. Elvis had a career full of ups and downs and included his service in the US Army. He starred in 33 movies and his music sold over a billion records. Elvis died at home in Graceland August 16, 1977; but it is clear that his legacy and music will never die!
When you visit the Birthplace and museum be sure you give yourself plenty of time for walking around the grounds and viewing the many statues in his honor. There is so much to see and do.
