The 1927 Bristol Sessions and Beyond
An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the award-winning Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Historic Downtown Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia tells the story of the legendary 1927 Bristol Sessions – the event in history scholars refer to as the “big bang” of country music – and their lasting impact on the music of today.
About the Museum
The Birthplace of Country Music Museum explores how evolving sound technology shaped the success of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and highlights how this rich musical heritage still thrives in the Appalachian region and beyond. Through multiple theater experiences, interactive and stationary displays – along with a variety of educational programs, music performances, and community events – the exciting story of these recording sessions and their far-reaching influence comes alive. Rotating exhibitions from guest curators and other institutions, including the Smithsonian, are featured throughout the year in the Special Exhibits Gallery. The museum also houses a collection of related objects, photographs, ephemera, and a digital archive.
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Museum Story Time – “Silver Packages: An Appalachian Christmas Story” by Cynthia Rylant
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Weekly Music Lessons with JAM Kids at the Museum!
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CANCELLED Speaker Session: Dr. Randal Williams on “The Carter Family: A Representation of the Sacred Ideal in Early Country Music” – Virtual Only
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Weekly Music Lessons with JAM Kids at the Museum!
From Pick Along Summer Camps and student field trips to online activities and classroom resources for teachers, the Museum offers a wide variety of educational and outreach programming for the community year-round.
The story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions comes alive through our interactive permanent exhibits, and the Museum also features a wide range of temporary exhibits in our Special Exhibits Gallery.
The collections at the museum—including documents and ephemera, photographs, recordings, instruments, and recording equipment—extend far beyond the artifacts currently displayed in our exhibit space.
An online museum experience that includes fun virtual tours, student activities, and other video content that’s not only educational, but also entertaining.
