Mountain Music Museum facts for kids

The Mountain Music Museum was a special place in Kingsport, Tennessee. It was also known as the ACMA Mountain Music Museum. This museum was all about the history of music. It focused on music that came from places like East Tennessee, North Carolina, Southeast Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia.

This music started in the 1800s. Over time, it grew into what we now call bluegrass music and country music. The museum was run by a group called the Appalachian Cultural Music Association (ACMA). This group is a nonprofit, meaning it works for a good cause, not for profit.

Inside the museum, you could see many interesting things. There were old musical instruments, recordings, and photographs. You could also find other cool items that reminded people of the past. Many famous musicians from the 1900s had exhibits there. These included the Carter Family, the Stoneman Family, Jimmie Rodgers, Flatt & Scruggs, Mac Wiseman, The Stanley Brothers, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Mel Street, and Archie Campbell.

The museum first started in Bristol, Tennessee. Later, it moved to its final home at 316 Broad Street in Kingsport.

History of the Museum

How It Started

In 1998, two people named Tim White and James Bryant started something important. Tim White was a bluegrass musician. He also hosted a TV show called "Song of the Mountains." James Bryant was a business owner. Together, they created the Appalachian Cultural Music Association (ACMA). This group's goal was to protect and share bluegrass, old-time gospel, classic country, and Appalachian-style music.

The ACMA opened its first office and museum at the Bristol Mall. The mall manager, Harry Esenwine, kindly gave them the space for free. At the mall, the ACMA also started a series of live music shows. They called these shows "The Pickin' Porch Show."

Moving to New Homes

In 2012, another business owner, Allen Hurley, offered the ACMA a bigger space. This new spot was in a building he owned at 626 State Street in Bristol. So, the Mountain Music Museum moved to this larger location. However, "The Pickin' Porch Show" stayed at the Bristol Mall for a little while longer. In 2013, the show finally moved to a stage inside the museum's new building.

In October 2017, the ACMA announced big news. They planned to move the Mountain Music Museum and "The Pickin' Porch Show" again. This time, they would move to a new location at 316 Broad Street in Kingsport.

In December 2017, the ACMA shared that Rick Dollar was hired. He became the new executive director of the Mountain Music Museum.

Grand Reopening and Special Exhibits

On January 27, 2018, a grand reopening party was held. It celebrated the Mountain Music Museum's new home in Kingsport. Many people came to enjoy live music. Performers included Ralph Stanley II & the Clinch Mountain Boys, Tim White & Troublesome Hollow, and Kaitlyn Baker. A new exhibit was also shown for the first time. It honored the famous bluegrass artist, Dr. Ralph Stanley, who had passed away.

In April 2018, the museum announced another exciting exhibit. They had received a very rare fiddle. People believed this fiddle once belonged to the legendary country music star Roy Acuff. The museum planned to show it for one year, starting May 1. This fiddle had made news before. It was accidentally given to a Goodwill store in Kansas City, Missouri. Goodwill returned the fiddle to its owner, Lamar Peek. He then agreed to let the Mountain Music Museum borrow it.

Museum Closure

Sadly, the museum closed in 2019. This happened because the costs to keep it running were too high.

See also

• List of music museums