Graceland: Home or Museum

I always hear the fans saying they can feel Elvis' presence there and that you also feel that was Elvis home at the very moment you cross its gates. I've tried hard to feel the same way every time I've been there, but I have never been able to get that feeling. It's like I can feel no one lives there anymore, and it shows some things inside have been changed to give it a "neutral" look. I think it's a combination of those two things that I get the impression I'm walking through a museum filled with Elvis' personal possessions.

Am I the only one? :hmm:
How do you see Graceland? It feels like a home or a museum to you?

I still think of it as his home. Even with different items inside, it still was where he lived, walked the grounds, played hard, laughed, etc. So when I go there, I think of him, and I always feel part of him there.

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Originally Posted by Tommy

I still think of it as his home. Even with different items inside, it still was where he lived, walked the grounds, played hard, laughed, etc. So when I go there, I think of him, and I always feel part of him there.

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I think of him there too but it's like I feel the house is empty... you know what I mean?

I do know what you mean, D.
I try and picture them all there; Elvis, Priscilla, the MM, the wives, Linda and Lisa Marie. But I think the more time that passes. the more it seems less of a home.

I remember having different feelings the first time I went though. Maybe it was because it was a long time ago, maybe just the excitement of going there for the first time. I don't know.

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Originally Posted by Donut

I think of him there too but it's like I feel the house is empty... you know what I mean?

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I don't want to think that the house is empty, I know he did use the things they have there, especially the couch. The dining room chairs he sat on those. The piano he played. The pool table, the jungle room.:lol:

I understand what you are saying, but I choose not to think that way.

I feel him in the house, but not at the gravesite. No idea why, just me I guess. :)

It's good to know I'm not the only one, May :lol:

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts on this.

No problem.
Although, that reminds me. I did feel more of Elvis when I went to Tupelo. I don't know why. Maybe because it's less "commercialised" ?

I can feel Priscilla's presence in the house- gives me goosebumps :wub:
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Originally Posted by May

No problem.
Although, that reminds me. I did feel more of Elvis when I went to Tupelo. I don't know why. Maybe because it's less "commercialised" ?

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That's what happened to me (y) and yes, that could be one of the reasons.

Ya never know..

I felt that you could tell it was a 'home', not a typical celebrity showcase house..........it was loved and lived in..........

For me, it was the atmosphere at the Meditation Gdns..........such quiet, respectful, and peacful atmosphere.

Actually it's probably the best way to present Elvis' life and career - a museum IN his home!! It certainly would not have the same feeling for most fans if they were just walking through some building somewhere, that had no connection to Elvis, looking at the artifacts from his career. At least for me when I have been inside Graceland, as I stood in the foyer for example, I could just picture Elvis coming down the stairs to greet his fans. As I stood in the pool room, I could imagine the guys playing pool having a good time. And as I stood in the Jungle Room, I could just picture Elvis and the band holding their recording sessions. Those things would probably not be possible walking through some warehouse somewhere looking at Elvis' belongings. :hmm:

Besides, there are just little nuances to the Elvis story that are best told by actually seeing the mansion...things that just couldn't be replicated at an off-site museum, in my opinion. ;)

TCB!
Mike

Agree with you Mike, i also love his birthplace home in Tupelo, very humbling to go in there and then go in Graceland.

Yes, what a contrast.

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Originally Posted by kathy parkinson

Agree with you Mike, i also love his birthplace home in Tupelo, very humbling to go in there and then go in Graceland.

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Unfortunately both times I was in Memphis, I didn't have the time to make the trip to Tupelo but from what I have seen of the house, I would certainly have to agree that seeing the difference between the original house he was born in and the house that he was able to purchase through his fame and fortune would most certainly be a humbling experience. :hmm:

TCB!
Mike

We were told by the tour guide that if you took everything out of the dining room at Graceland you can put the birthplace in that room and still be able to walk around it.

Not sure I'd go that far!:lol: But yes, it is pretty small.:)

We all thought that too May, but didn't want to offend the lady.

Maybe she was just joking, but was trying to illustrate the point ?