Patrick and I are about to embark on a trip to Tennessee, and we will be making a stop at Elvis Presley’s grand home, Graceland. In anticipation of the visit, I thought it would be fun to share a find my dad gave me, photos of Graceland shortly after it opened to the public.

After becoming a massive success, Elvis purchased Graceland in 1957, which had been built in 1939. When Elvis died in 1977, his father, Vernon, handled his estate until his passing in 1979. Elvis’ only child, Lisa Marie was still young, and the estate was handled by three co-executors, including Elvis’ ex-wife and Lisa Marie’s mother, Priscilla. In 1981 the decision was made to open Graceland to the public, welcoming its first visitors on June 7, 1982. In September of the following year Dixie Sult, of Reseda, California, went to Graceland and took at least two rolls of film at the famed estate. Shockingly, there are none of the front of the house, and many are out of focus, but here are the highlights!

I’m super excited to go and see the Graceland for myself, along with many other places across Tennessee!

Are you a fan of Elvis? Have you been to Graceland or want to go?