September 2023.
Tupelo, Mississippi.
I will never forget Elvis Presley’s birthday. Not because I am a fan of his music, or that he was (and still is) the King of Rock and Roll. It’s because my son, Josh, was born on his birthday. It’s their birthday in just two days from this post’s publication, so Happy Birthday, Josh, and Happy Heavenly Birthday, Elvis.
It would have been Elvis’s 91st birthday, so it’s a great time to share my photos of Elvis Presley’s boyhood home. On our way through Mississippi, we detoured from our route to visit the Elvis Presley Birthplace in Tupelo. The museum and birthplace gave us a glimpse into the humble beginnings of the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Having not yet visited Graceland, I am looking forward to the difference between the modest two-room house where Elvis was born in 1935 and the opulence of Graceland.
There was always a line at the house while we were there, so we waited our turn to visit the structure built by Vernon Presley, Elvis’s father. The birthplace home is nestled within a 15-acre park that features a variety of exhibits and attractions, including the Assembly of God church where the Presley family worshipped, providing insight into the gospel music that influenced Elvis’s sound.
The small house is challenging to photograph because of its two small rooms. Vernon Presley built only a bedroom and a kitchen inside the house walls. Elvis was born in this bedroom. I attempted a panoramic view to include more of the bedroom. If you want to see a more traditional photograph of the room, you can see it on my Flickr site here.
The furniture in Elvis Presley’s Birthplace home is typical of the era but not original to the Presley family. While the house is in its original location, most of the furnishings were donated to the museum, reflecting the period’s style. Vernon Presley helped to arrange the furniture in the 1970s to match how it was when they lived there. Some items, like the fireplace, stove, and icebox, are original.
Just a few steps from the birthplace home, visitors can enter the church where Elvis learned to love gospel music. A small placard near the entrance describes the church.
“ELVIS PRESLEY’S CHILDHOOD CHURCH
“Elvis and his family attended the First Assembly of God Church, a small white clapboard church, while living in Tupelo.
“Elvis’s musical roots began in this very church. Here, he was first exposed to the rich tradition of gospel music.
“Elvis’s early exposure to gospel music played a significant role in shaping his unique musical style. The heartfelt emotion and soulful delivery of gospel hymns would later become hallmarks of his singing style.
“Elvis’s childhood church stands as a testament to the humble beginnings of one of the most influential figures in music history.”
A docent at the doorway beckoned us to enter the church, where they were preparing to present a program about the church and Elvis’s involvement. We waited patiently for the short program to begin.
Our first views of the museum were behind this 1939 Plymouth. Elvis grew up in a working-class family during the Great Depression. Cars like this Plymouth served as basic transportation for many families of that era. There was no indication that this car belonged to Vernon Presley. It was a popular model when Elvis was a young child.
Before we entered the museum, I noticed this placard on the exterior wall. We entered the museum and, after paying the entrance fee, I took all manner of photos of the exhibits. Oops, that was a no-no. I wasn’t even using a camera phone; I was using my D500 Nikon camera. Though I wasn’t stopped by museum authorities, I finally noticed a sign I should have seen earlier. They don’t allow photographs of the museum exhibits. Needless to say, I won’t be sharing any of my contraband photos here.
About the photos: These photos were captured by my Samsung S23U or my Nikon D500 and processed in Adobe Lightroom Classic and Luminar Neo. AI technology was used in some images to remove distractions. Several placards with tidbits about Elvis and his boyhood home are around the museum grounds. I’ve included photos of some of these placards and more pictures from our visit processed in 2K HD in my Flickr gallery for this post here.
We found visiting the Elvis Presley Birthplace in Tupelo connected us to the roots of the musical legend. Walking through the two-room house where Elvis began his life, attending the relocated childhood church where his musical passion was ignited, and exploring the surrounding museum and grounds provides a tangible sense of the environment that shaped the King of Rock’ n’ Roll. We will look forward to a visit to Graceland in Memphis at some point in the future.
John Steiner
Journeys with Johnbo 
I was never a big Elvis fan, but there’s no doubt that he had a fabulous voice and stage presence. His is a fascinating story. Happy birthday to your son, John xx
Your thoughts echo mine, Jo. I did enjoy some of his songs, especially in his early years. His later years seemed to be covers of everyone else’s work. 🙂
I like Elvis, and I remember the day he died, as it was on my birthday.
This visit was, to me, more interesting than I suspect I would find a visit to Graceland, a place I’ve yet to see.
We went to Graceland way back in 1988, we got married in Memphis, I found it very sad place, when I entered I really felt distressed even right after I entered. It really was an odd experience. I have never felt that way when entering a house.
That revelation is interesting to me. I didn’t feel the same about Elvis’s birthplace. Maybe because it was a new beginning, and the museum and exhibits foretold a bright future for the new arrival.
It’s an inspiring story in the United States to be born in a two-room wooden house and then live in the huge Graceland mansion. I passed by Graceland during one of my trips to the States, and the line was much longer. Why ban photos? I didn’t understand. What would Elvis’s success be without photos and films? It’s completely irrational and disrespectful to visitors who come from far away and pay an entrance fee.
I found that interesting, as well. I’ve never seen a museum before that forbade non-flash photography. >grin<
Not only Elvis’s birthday and your son’s but also my father’s – he would have been 98 in two days’ time. I think I would be more interested to visit this humble home, in some ways, than Graceland, as it’s always interesting to see the roots of ‘stardom’. But the no photos rule would irritate me immensely as it always does. Don’t these places realise the positive PR that the sharing of photos brings?!
Indeed!! I agree with your assessment. I don’t run into many places that outright forbid photographs. Fortunately, the prohibition didn’t reach outside the doors of the museum.
Thanks for the tour. I didn’t realize Elvis had such humble beginnings.
It’s another story of the American Dream, for sure.
😊
Thanks for the tour John. I enjoy his music, and am always a little surprised at how big an impact he made, especially since he died.
After all these years, he still is the King of Rock and Roll!
😎
Thanks for the tour.
You are most welcome, Egidio!