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.

I've Endured: Women in Old-Time Music
Old-time music is described and experienced in different ways and for different purposes, but at its heart, old-time is mountain folk music with strong ties to Appalachia and the diverse peoples who have called it home. While old-time music has primarily been related to “hillbilly music” and its roots and branches can be found in the development of country and bluegrass, it is one of the melting pots of American culture, connecting to multiple genres, influences, and instruments. Women have always been central to old-time music – in the home and on the stage, and as instrumentalists and singers, preservationists, activists, promoters, and cultural memory keepers. I’ve Endured: Women in Old-Time Music highlights the many women who have been integral to this music, exploring the challenges they’ve faced making a career in the field, the ways they have impacted the genre, and their vision for the future of old-time. Join us to see, hear, and experience their stories!

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 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.
Past Special Exhibits
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Trivia Night: Mountain Dew & More
Aug, 2022
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Special Exhibit: The Way We Worked
Oct, 2021 - Jan, 2022
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Special Exhibit: Houses of the Lord
Oct, 2021
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Special Exhibit: Our Living Past
Apr, 2021 - Sep, 2021
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Hard Rock’s Country Music Memorabilia
Sep, 2020 - Mar, 2021
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Special Exhibit: Honky Tonk
Sep, 2020 - Mar, 2021
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Poster Exhibits: Centennial of American Women’s Suffrage
Aug, 2020 - Mar, 2021
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Special Exhibit: Real Folk
Mar, 2020 - Aug, 2020
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American Ballads: The Photographs of Marty Stuart special exhibit
Aug, 2019 - Jan, 2020
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I Have a Voice: Tennessee’s African American Musical Heritage
Feb, 2019 - Apr, 2019
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Reading Appalachia: Voices from Children’s Literature
Feb, 2019 - Jun, 2019
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For All the World To See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights
Nov, 2018 - Jan, 2019
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Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion: Through Your Eyes
Aug, 2018 - Oct, 2018
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The Appalachian Photographs of Cecil Sharp, 1916 to 1918
Mar, 2018 - Jun, 2018
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The Luthier’s Craft: Instrument Making Traditions of the Blue Ridge
Nov, 2017 - Mar, 2018
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Things Come Apart
Jul, 2017 - Oct, 2017
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“Hometown Stars” Special Exhibit
Feb, 2017 - Jun, 2017
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A Place for All People Poster Exhibit
Sep, 2016 - Feb, 2017
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“We are the Music Makers: Preserving the Soul of America’s Music”
Sep, 2016 - Jan, 2017
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Made in Tennessee: Manufacturing Milestones
Mar, 2016 - Aug, 2016
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Tennessee Ernie Ford
Oct, 2015 - Feb, 2016
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New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music
Mar, 2015 - Sep, 2015
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The Carter Family: Lives and Legacies
Aug, 2014 - Feb, 2015