Memphis Day 4: Graceland!

Over 300 photos today as we spent around 6 hours at Graceland. It’s quite the attraction now after some significant improvements in 2017. There are now a large amount of exhibits ranging from “Presley Motors” with Elvis’ cars and motorcycles, “Presley Airlines” with his two plans and exhibitions with loads of original documents, images, clothing etc.

There's so much history in what was a short career. We purchased our tickets from the hotel then walked over to the Graceland stores. You then get a shuttle from there over to Graceland and get to walk through at your own pace.

“Elvis Week” was in August, timed around Elvis’ birthday, so things are a bit quieter just after that. There are typically around 2,000 people a day going through but it was much quieter today, so we didn’t have to rush through at all.

Once back from from looking though the home, we spent time looking at all of the exhibits, starting with "Presley Motors".

We then started to explore the numerous displays that showcase Elvis' career, starting from his first recording with Sun Studio through to the 70s and his jump suit era! The items on display were incredible, from Elvis' army fatigues, the boxing gloves he trained in to numerous documents like cheques Elvis wrote to pay for the fence being build at Graceland to contracts. You could spend days reading everything!

We took a break looking through the exhibits to have lunch at Gladys’ Café, named after Elvis’ mother. While there Dave spotted Billy Stanley, Elvis’ step brother. I'd had pointed Billy out earlier in the day while he was leading a personal tour through Graceland. Billy was struggling with the soda dispenser so Dave gave him a hand and sparked up a conversation. Billy lived at Graceland for a number of years and was bought up with Elvis when Vernon remarried post Gladys’ death.

After lunch we continued to look over more exhibits which included Elvis' time at Sun Studio, aspects of Lisa Marie's professional life, Elvis' film career, an impressive wall of jump suites and so much more!!

 We finally wrapped things up (as gates were closing) by looking through Elvis' two planes, one named after Lisa Marie. What am amazing day and it's so good to see how Elvis' name continues to live on. It's also great to see how much Elvis' generosity continues to be shared with people, he gave back to so many people and charities, in many cases Elvis doing it without wanting the thank, in fact, Billy shared a story where Elvis asked for the press to stop taking picture of him signing cheques\donations for charity groups as he didn't want it about him!

Today was a day that can't be beat, thank you Elvis!