Exhibits - The Birthplace of Country Music

Our Exhibits

The Birthplace of Country Music Museum is home to permanent exhibits that focus on the story and impact of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and a Special Exhibit Gallery that features rotating exhibits created in-house, by guest curators, and by other institutions and museums. Our artifact, archival, and digital collections are used in our own exhibits and are also available for research and study purposes.

A Cardboard History of Blue Ridge Music

Based on the vast and wide-ranging collection of Tom Murphy, this special exhibit will give visitors a window into the careers and impact of numerous well-known musicians such as Roy Acuff, Kitty Wells, Flatt & Scruggs, The Monroe Brothers, Lulu Belle and Scotty, Mac Wiseman, Clarence "Tom" Ashley, Jim and Jesse McReynolds, and many others. The connection between many of these artists to early radio and barn-dance style shows - including Bristol's very own Farm and Fun Time - is also explore

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Interactive Permanent Exhibits

Immerse yourself in the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and beyond through exciting theater experiences, interactive touchscreen exhibits, artifacts and photographs, and in-depth displays. You'll also get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the studio at Radio Bristol, which broadcasts live from within the museum’s permanent exhibits space.

Temporary Events Birthplace of Country Music Museum

Temporary Exhibits

Explore the Special Exhibits Gallery where rotating exhibits are curated in-house or by guest curators and other institutions, including the Smithsonian. This space changes throughout the year and features exhibits that delve into a wide range of topics—from music and Appalachian culture to history, science, and art.