Graceland

Ok, so I am going to geek out a little of this post!!

I love Elvis!!

My Mom loves him and I guess pasted it on to me!!

As a kid we went, but boy has it changed since then!

Graceland was built in 1939 by Ruth Brown Moore and her husband Dr. Thomas Moore. Elvis purchased the home and grounds in 1957 for just over $100,000. He was only 22 at the time,

The year before he had a whirlwind of a year! By 1956 he was considered an international sensation!

Elvis grew up as an only child, his twin brother Jesse was stillborn. Elvis and his parents, Vernon and Gladys Presley moved from Tupelo Mississippi to Memphis Tennessee in 1948.

As you tour the property and home you can see that the home it smaller than you would have thought it to be. But it holds so much character due to the way was decorated! It is totally 1970’s decor. And it is part of Elvis!

Elvis has his parents as well as his Grandmother Minnie Mae Presley living in the home with him! They actually moved into the home May 1957, while Elvis was filming Jailhouse Rock. Elvis moved in June 1957.

In 1959, Elvis was serving in the US Army and was stationed in Germany when he met Priscilla Beaulieu, her father was stationed there as well. Priscilla was only 14 at the time of their first meeting, and Elvis was 24.

After he was sent back to the United States, it’s said that she went into a deep depression, her parents finally sent Priscilla to live at Graceland in 1963. They were married in Las Vegas, May 1, 1967.

And just nine months after they were wed, Elvis and Priscilla welcomes a daughter, Lisa Marie. She would be their only child.

In 1972, Priscilla filed for divorce, Elvis was reported as being devastated. They were married 6 years.

The Jungle Room

This room was one of Elvis’ favorites, said to remind him of his time in Hawaii.

The Pool Room, walls and ceiling covered in 400 yards of fabric.

Across from the Pool Room was the location of the TV room. Elvis got the idea of having multiple TV’s in the room when he heard that President Lyndon Johnson had three sets to keep up with all the major networks. He also had his signature lighting bolt along with the letters “TCB”- “taking care of business in a flash”, he also had medallions and bracelets custom made for himself and his Memphis Mafia Members.

Elvis added the swimming pool in 1957, and added the Meditation Garden.

One of his piano rooms.

This is one of his favorites!

Elvis passed away August 16, 1977. He was buried at Forest Hills Cemetery in Memphis but later moved by his father to Graceland’s Meditation Garden.

What to expect on your tour of Graceland, you are handed an iPad and headphones. It is a self guided tour with all the information and pictures on the iPad. They have come a long way since I was there as a kid.