Photo Credit: Jim Herrington
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville is prepping a new exhibit titled ‘Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker.’ The exhibit will open to the public on May 20 and will be available through September.
The new exhibition is intended to celebrate Dolly Parton’s career, highlighting her journey as a singer, songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Some of the highlights from the exhibit include personal artifacts such as costumes Dolly wore, musical instruments she played, and handwritten lyrics, photographs, and exclusive interview footage from the many phases of her longstanding career.
Visitors will be able to see handwritten lyrics to her iconic song “Jolene,” a portable cassette tape recorder used to compose songs like “I Will Always Love You,” and “Jolene,” and her iconic cowgirl outfit from the 1980 film ‘9 to 5.’ The exhibit also displays Parton’s Kennedy Center Honors medallion from 2006 and several other notable awards bestowed upon the legendary country singer.
‘Journey of a Seeker’ focuses on turning points in Dolly Parton’s career, where she overcame obstacles and defied expectations. It explores her rise from humble beginnings in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee to becoming one of the leading female figures in country music. An official exhibit playlist will be available on major streaming platforms starting May 20—the first day of the exhibit’s availability.
Visitors who purchase a timed entry ticket to the museum must reserve a separate ticket for access to the exhibit, which is offered at no additional cost. A limited number of tickets to the exhibit and museum are available each day between 9 am and 3:30 pm CST, so visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance.
In addition to this new exhibit, the museum also features other Dolly Parton items on display. The ‘Sing Me Back Home’ exhibition showcases foundational artifacts that span the 100-year narrative of country music history. A dress Dolly wore on ‘The Porter Wagoner Show’ in 1970 is currently on display there, as is her Country Music Hall of Fame member plaque.
