G R A C E L A N D   -   H O M E   O F   E L V I S

Memphis, Tennessee

I board the bus for the short ride across the street and up the driveway to Graceland. The driver instructs everyone in the bus to start their audio players. Since the tour is self-guided, I can stay up until closing if I wish.

Across the street, up the driveway, and off the bus we go.

Graceland's architecture is predominantly Colonial style with Greek influences. Funny, the 14-room mansion isn't as big as I had envisioned. Built in 1939, the mansion is located at 3764 Elvis Presley Blvd. In 1957, Elvis bought the mansion for $100,000 and lived here until his death in 1977. Opened as a museum on 1982, the mansion was listed on the National Regsiter of Historic Places in 1991.

136 acres, 10 buildings, 2 structures
Historic Significance: Person
Historic Person: Presley,Elvis Aaron
Significant Year: 1957
Area of Significance: Performing Arts
Period of Significance: 1950-1974, 1975-2000
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Domestic
Historic Sub-function: Secondary Structure, Single Dwelling2
Current Function: Domestic, Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Museum, Single Dwelling2

The entire tour group walks up to the front door. We are made to wait a few minutes while the group ahead of us clears past the first few exhibits inside. Over 600,000 visitors walk through this door every year, a number not very suprising, considering the huge Elvis following that still remains 28 years after his death.