Graceland (Memphis, White House: house, buying, living)

[missela]

I'm a Texan, haven't been to Memphis since 1975 (wow) . . . just wondering something and thought you guys could tell me:

Is Graceland still a significant part of Memphis or except for the gatherings in August, is interest basically dwindling?

I'd heard that parts of the interior are not well-maintained and that the area around the property is really rundown.

I know the estate is still trying to keep all the crass commercialism alive and well, but as Elvis considered Memphis his true home, I'd be curious as to how the city of Memphis and its citizens feel these days about Graceland and the legacy of Elvis?

[bjh]

In general I think Memphians are far less interested in Graceland than the tourists. Keep in mind that Graceland and Elvis are both things people here have heard about all their lives, and it's not that big a deal. Like if you walked past the Washington Memorial every day on your way to work in DC you wouldn't look up at it each time.

But Graceland itself seems to thrive on tourism. The last figures I heard for the population of Memphis was about 650k. But about 9 million tourists a year come here. Graceland is not the only draw, but it is a big one.

A few years ago, 2007 or 08 we went to Graceland. We hadn't been there before, but were moving to Memphis and seeing the sights. The home itself and its interior were quite well maintained. That's been a few years ago, but I doubt 3 or 4 years has caused any significant change. If you drive down US 51, there are always lots of tourists around. The recent inaccurate flooding reports notwithstanding, they generally do a good business. A couple of months ago I drove to Southaven and going past Graceland there were plenty of people.

As for the areas around Graceland, some are run down. Some are just urban sprawl. Old busineses or parking lots are generally not something that Graceland or its owners can control. Seems I heard or read something in the last couple of years about the company buying up some of the land for their empire. I don't know if that's true.

[Vandy58]

I visited Memphis on two previous occasions before moving here. The visits were approx 5 years ago and 15 years ago. I have now lived here almost two months. I have never been to Graceland and I have no plans to. Of course, I am sure that one of these days when one of my friends or relatives come to visit, it might be on their list of things to see and I might feel obliged to go with them. Personally, I do not see the attraction. I enjoy listening to some of EP's music but I don't see the point of making his home an attraction.

[BirdieBelle]

Graceland is the second most-visited private home in the US, after Mt. Vernon. It is still a thriving tourist destination.

I'm sure it would be hard to appreciate the meaning of Graceland if you never lived there when Elvis was alive and living there. It held a great mystique, wondering if you might see him out on the grounds, hearing stories about him on the local news, etc.

The inside is very well maintained; it's just a house from the 70s that was decorated by a man from North Mississippi who had a lot of money.

[missela]

Originally Posted by bjh

In general I think Memphians are far less interested in Graceland than the tourists. Keep in mind that Graceland and Elvis are both things people here have heard about all their lives, and it's not that big a deal. Like if you walked past the Washington Memorial every day on your way to work in DC you wouldn't look up at it each time.

But Graceland itself seems to thrive on tourism. The last figures I heard for the population of Memphis was about 650k. But about 9 million tourists a year come here. Graceland is not the only draw, but it is a big one.

A few years ago, 2007 or 08 we went to Graceland. We hadn't been there before, but were moving to Memphis and seeing the sights. The home itself and its interior were quite well maintained. That's been a few years ago, but I doubt 3 or 4 years has caused any significant change. If you drive down US 51, there are always lots of tourists around. The recent inaccurate flooding reports notwithstanding, they generally do a good business. A couple of months ago I drove to Southaven and going past Graceland there were plenty of people.

As for the areas around Graceland, some are run down. Some are just urban sprawl. Old busineses or parking lots are generally not something that Graceland or its owners can control. Seems I heard or read something in the last couple of years about the company buying up some of the land for their empire. I don't know if that's true.

Thanks for your insightful post.

[missela]

Originally Posted by Vandy58

I visited Memphis on two previous occasions before moving here. The visits were approx 5 years ago and 15 years ago. I have now lived here almost two months. I have never been to Graceland and I have no plans to. Of course, I am sure that one of these days when one of my friends or relatives come to visit, it might be on their list of things to see and I might feel obliged to go with them. Personally, I do not see the attraction. I enjoy listening to some of EP's music but I don't see the point of making his home an attraction.

As a long-time EP fan, I think it was disrespectful that they opened up his private home to the general populace. From what I understand, he cared very much about Memphis and Graceland and while he'd often visit with fans outside, the house was his refuge, and the tours and marketing are intrusive.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by Wmsn4Life

Graceland is the second most-visited private home in the US, after Mt. Vernon.

Actually, The White House is the first.

[BirdieBelle]

OK, private homes that started out as private homes ...

[rsgillmd]

I visited when I moved to Memphis, mainly because my sister and brother-in-law wanted to go. I thought the car museum was pretty cool. The rest of it was just OK, but then again I'm not a die-hard Elvis fan.

It's a bit overpriced if you ask me. It's definitely more about the money than it is about history.

Pink Palace Museum is pretty nice to visit because it has a little bit of everything -- science, history, nature, etc. I would recommend that over Graceland.

[Thirdingson]

Originally Posted by Wmsn4Life

I'm sure it would be hard to appreciate the meaning of Graceland if you never lived there when Elvis was alive and living there. It held a great mystique, wondering if you might see him out on the grounds, hearing stories about him on the local news, etc.

The inside is very well maintained; it's just a house from the 70s that was decorated by a man from North Mississippi who had a lot of money.

Exactly. I'm a lifelong Memphian (45 yrs old), but not what you'd call a big Elvis fan. I made my first trip to Graceland 8 months ago and I loved it! As Wmsn4Life said, "it's just a house from the 70s that was decorated by a man from North Mississippi who had a lot of money." In fact the 'tour-guide-in-your-ear' pretty much implies this when you're in the kitchen and the "Jungle room."

The mystique mentioned above is certainly true, too. Although it only happened a few times in my childhood, I do recall being VERY excited whenever my family happened past Graceland. I just KNEW he'd be at the gate greeting folks and signing autographs, but alas...

As mentioned in another post, the tours can be quite pricey. A few weeks ago Graceland had a half-price Groupon! I snagged a couple and the wife and I will be using them on an upcoming "staycation" weekend.

Missela, as for the tours being "intrusive," the second floor of the home (bedrooms) are not included. There's a sign at the bottom of the stairs that says something to the effect of "out of respect for privacy..."