An about-face by EPE?

[Lonniebealestreet]

Just saw in our Elvis News section:

After many letters to Graceland from fans who have been concerned about Elvis's jumpsuits at the racquetball building would get damaged has Graceland decided to build display cases. They will be completed by the birthday celebration in January.

This is not the only part of the exhibit renovations they have planned to implement this winter. The 2nd phase includes a new look for the Hall of Gold and the whole trophy building which they are also currently designing with installation scheduled to begin after birthday along with an entire new exhibit in Sincerely Elvis scheduled to be installed in late February.

Source: Elvis Unlimited / updated: November 10, 2004

This is interesting because just recently on elvis.com there was a statement addressing all the fans' concerns, saying that they had the best archivists and preservation experts, and their consensus was that the suits were fine there unprotected in the open air, since the humidity is controlled, the lighting is the proper kind, etc....

Now, there hasn't been an official announcement from EPE along the lines of this most recent announcement that I've seen. Just thought I'd mention that.

[Captain Elwood David]

In my experience with Graceland / Staff / Archives Dept. ---------> they often just parrot a standard textbook "101" reply when pressed with substantive questions / issues / inquiries.

Just more evidence that they speak with a forked tongue, to suit their own needs @ the moment.

I honestly have never put too much stock into anything EPE / Graceland has ever said .......... both publically & privately.


- Capt. "EL."

[richardo316]

i think if they are planning to do this that it's about time. everything should be protected so that fans can see this stuff 20or 30 years down the road.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Will graceland be open in 20-30 years time, I did hear that Lisa Marie wanted to move back!

I think eventually they will just make a museum on the grounds

[Can Am 1]

I 100% agree that it is long over due that these jumpsuits SHOULD be protected and preserved for future generations. I applaud ALL the Elvis fans who had something to do with this and especially those who spoke at the Fan Forum In August voicing their concerns. I understand that a number of home repairs to Graceland will be done very soon. This was another concern of the fans. Time will tell!

TCB

[yiddle yisa]

Will graceland be open in 20-30 years time, I did hear that Lisa Marie wanted to move back!

I think eventually they will just make a museum on the grounds

Jumpsuit Junkie - this is what I got off www.elvis.com (directly linked to: http://www.elvis.com/elvisology/faq/faq.asp?qid=24)

Is Graceland closing?

No. Absolutely not.

Graceland opened to the public in 1982. Every year or every few months or so since then, some tabloid writer or other mischief maker somewhere in the world has invented a story saying that Graceland will be closing. Sometimes these stories find their way into more mainstream news media in some countries. The stories tend to say that the reason for the closing is that Elvis Presley's daughter Lisa is moving into Graceland or that she is selling it.

Closing or selling Graceland has never been a consideration. Any stories to the contrary are pure fiction. Graceland will be open for generations to come.

See, all it really is, is a rumour that spreads round Memphis every year by some sick reporters who obviously have nothing better to do than lie to the world ABOUT the biggest part of history! that's a no no! lol (i just liked the picture!)

- As for the museum, im not so sure about that. It quite possibly could be done, but all of the land owned by him, was used by him, such as the small feild behind Vernon's office, which was where he rode his horses. So, im not completely sure. But then again, you do have your own perspective and I have mine!

Hope i've answered your question!

Sincerly, Yisa

[Jungleroom76]

Upon my first ever visit to Graceland in 1987, I was a little perplexed when I saw many of Elvis' jumpsuits hanging on those rolling clothing racks (like you see being wheeled into Elvis' hotel suite at the beginning of THIS IS ELVIS during the preparations for Elvis' arrival), out in the open in the trophy room. I always thought it was a little odd that Elvis' jumpsuits were displayed this way for a couple of reasons...one because you couldn't really see any of them too well because they were all bunched together on the rack, and two because they were just out in the open, exposed to the elements. Needless to say, I was much happier on my second trip to Graceland in 2000 when I saw the jumpsuits on mannequins in the enclosed display cases....UNTIL...

I got out to the racquetball court and saw that several of Elvis' jumpsuits from THAT'S THE WAY IT IS were on display, on mannequins, right out in the open!! Again, I was a little confused at how these suits could be left exposed to the elements when they are so obviously historical and irreplacable!

I WAS FURTHER SHOCKED when I discovered that shortly after I was in Memphis in 2000, EPE moved a majority of Elvis' jumpsuits out to the racquetball court for display, as they are still seen today!!! I COULDN'T BELIEVE that EPE was being so careless with such irreplacable artifacts!!! I NEVER understood how EPE could say that these jumpsuits would be able to withstand being left out in the open, without any real protection from the elements. EPE has such a hard and fast rule about using flash photography inside Graceland due to the deterioration factor that flash photography creates on the artifacts inside Graceland....yet the jumpsuits are just left out in the open. But then again, should we be surprised given how EPE treats Elvis and his career throughout the 70's, particularly post-Aloha?? Perhaps this is another of EPE's subtle ways of saying that Elvis' concert years aren't as important as his earlier years??

Anyway, I am HOPING that this report of new display cases for the jumpsuits in the racquetball court is true!!! In my opinion, these jumpsuits need to be treated with the same care and consideration as the rest of the artifacts at Graceland....REGARDLESS of how EPE feels about Elvis' career in the 70's!!!

THANKS BOBBY FOR POSTING THIS!!!
TCB!
Mike

[yiddle yisa]

I was always wondering why none of that was protected..hmm

Sincerly, Yiddle Yisa (h)

[julieann]

Well at least EPE are doing something about it now.

Remember we aren't even allowed to say the two words "Elvis Presley" because EPE will probably sue us left, right and center!

[Albert]

Just more evidence that they speak with a forked tongue, to suit their own needs @ the moment.

I honestly have never put too much stock into anything EPE / Graceland has ever said .......... both publically & privately.


- Capt. "EL."

I've always had that same feeling about EPE...

[Lonniebealestreet]

You're welcome, Mike. Thanks for everyone's input.

I'm curious to see the new displays which are being planned (beyond just for the junpsuits).

[Jungleroom76]

I'M WITH YOU BUDDY....I'M ANXIOUS TO SEE WHAT ELSE EPE HAS IN STORE FOR THEIR "REMODELING" PROJECT!!!

THANKS AGAIN BUDDY!
TCB!
Mike