CMHOFM Celebrates Opening Of ‘Dolly Parton: Journey Of A Seeker’

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Dolly Parton at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum celebrated the life and legacy of Dolly Parton last night (May 19) at the opening of its newest exhibit, “Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker.”

Dolly Parton attends the opening of Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s new exhibit ‘Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker.’ Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

The evening included special tribute performances of Parton’s songs “Coat of Many Colors” and “The Seeker” by Alison Krauss & Union Station, and Parton concluded the evening with remarks of her own.

The new exhibit, open until September 2026, focuses on turning points throughout Parton’s more than 60-year career where she overcame obstacles and ignored naysayers to become one of the most beloved and widely recognized celebrities across the world. “Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker” includes clothing, awards, handwritten lyrics, instruments, photos, exclusive interview footage and more, including Parton’s first draft of handwritten lyrics to her No. 1 hit “Jolene,” a cowgirl outfit Parton wore in the 1980 Hollywood film 9 to 5, the Kennedy Center Honors medallion Parton was presented in 2006, a custom-built Gibson banjo with a white metallic finish, rhinestones, and butterflies used by Parton in 1992 and on her “Halos & Horns Tour” in 2002, and more.

A view of the exhibit on display at the opening of Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s new exhibit ‘Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker.’ Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

An additional display that celebrates Parton’s community of literacy, created through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, is presented in the museum’s Taylor Swift Education Center. An illustrated companion book to the exhibit supplementing the gallery presentation featuring photos and artifacts is now available to purchase here or in the museum’s store, and will also be available in bookstores and online outlets through a partnership with the University of Illinois Press.

Access to the “Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker” exhibit is included with museum admission and a limited number of timed tickets for the exhibit are available each day. Advance reservations are encouraged and ticket availability can be found on the museum’s website.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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