Graceland

Elvis' family moved from his birthplace in Tupelo, Mississippi, to Memphis in 1948, and a year after hitting it big, Elvis purchased Graceland. It remained his home, his base of operations, his playground, and his sanctuary for the rest of his life. The tour takes visitors through the majority of the house and multi-acre estate. A recorded audio guide (like an iPod) explains what is being seen and provides much Elvis history and lore.



When Elvis learned that President L. B. Johnson had 3 tv's tuned to the 3 major networks, Elvis did the same, and he spent many relaxing hours watching his favorite shows.



The "jungle room" was personally furnished by Elvis and became the major party room. The full-wall rock waterfall was a highlight. The green shag carpeting was also installed on the ceiling to improve acoustics, and some recording sessions were held here.


A separate building was used for raquetball and now houses some of his memorabilia, covering the 2 story walls, floor to ceiling.



Hundreds of Elvis' performance costumes are available for viewing in the mansion and several other museums in the complex across Elvis Presley Boulevard from the mansion. Each suit was painstakingly hand stitched in various motifs. Double click on the photo below to see the craftsmanship.



Elvis, his parents, and his grandmother are all buried in the Meditation Garden. There is also a plaque in memory of his twin who died at birth. People who only know of Elvis' rock and roll credentials should investigate his greatest love -- gospel music. He was a religious man, though he sometimes joked that the reason he loved the late night hours so much was because "God was asleep so he could play."


Also available for touring are his 2 jets. Below is the interior of the larger jet, named for his daughter, Lisa Marie. The jet carried Elvis and his entourage to all concert dates. In addition to the conference table room, there were sitting areas, 2 bathrooms, and a master bedroom/bath for Elvis. Over $800,000 was spent furnishing the plane after he purchased it. Even the seat belt buckles are 24 caret gold plated.


The automobile museum displays his love for motorized vehicles of all varieties, from fancy foreign sports cars to a Willys jeep, watercraft of all kinds, various motorcycles, and ATV type vehicles of all sorts. Elvis and his friends loved to use the back acreage for racing the machines as well as for riding the horses on the estate. But the vehicle he kept for his entire life was the one his mother loved most, the pink Cadillac.


The tour was very well done and I recommend it to all who travel in the Memphis area and want to learn more about this icon.