Anattasight: Elvis Presley's Graceland

Graceland was home to King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley (8th Jan 1935 - 16th Aug 1977). It was a large white-columned mansion situated at Elvis Presley Boulevard about 15km away from Memphis downtown and 6 km away from the mouth of Mississippi border.

Graceland was opened to public on June 1982 and currently served as a museum. The site was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on Nov.1991 and declared as a National Historical landmark on March 27, 2006 .

Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977 at his estate home, that has become one of the most-visited private homes in United States. It attracts more than 600,000 visitors a year.

Graceland Mansion was built on a 13.8 acres estate in Memphis, Tennessee.

Memorial messages at the field stone wall surrounding the grounds, which was part of renovation Elvis Presley made after he bought over the house. He also built a wrought iron music-themed gate at the same time.

Right side view of Graceland mansion. The mansion was constructed of tan limestone. Graceland Farm was originally owned by SC Toof, the founder of a commercial printing firm in Memphis. Grounds were named after Toof's daughter who inherited the farm. Grace Toof gave part of the farm, which designated as Graceland today, to her niece and nephew. It was Grace Toof's niece Ruth and her husband, Dr Thomas Moore who built the present colonial style mansion in 1939.

The entrance way of the mansion contains 4 temple of the Winds Columns and 2 large iron perched on both sides of the portico.

The living hall

The dinning and living hall.

The room of Elvis's mother, Gladys Presley, and the kitchen.

The beautifully decorated billiards room.

The famous Jungle Room featured with an indoor waterfall but finally converted into a recording studio.

Evis Presley often watched 3 TV sets at a time at the TV room in the basement.

There is a wet bar just next to this TV room.

Elvis was born in Tupelo of Mississippi State but moved to Tennessee in 1948. After his twin brother died at birth, he was the only child to Gladys and Vernon Presley

Hall of Gold

Elvis Presley is regarded as one of the most important figures of 20th century popular culture. He starred in 33 successful films and sold more than one billion records globally, while his American sales earned him gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards.

Elvis was greatly influenced by pop and country music, the black R&B at historic Beale Street of Memphis and also the gospel music while he was a teenage. He began his singing career at the age of 19 and two years later, he ushered in a whole new era of American music and popular culture.

With sound and style that uniquely combined his diverse musical influences, Elvis blurred and challenged the social and racial barriers of that time. He became a symbol of American music and popular culture.

Some of his performing costumes.

The meeting of Elvis Presley and President Nixon.

Meditation Garden was noted as a preferred place in the property where Elvis Presley often went to reflect on any problem or situation that arose during his life. This also was the place where his grand mother, his parents Gladys and Vernon Presley and himself were buried. There also a small memorial gravestone at the site, for Elvis' twin brother Jesse Garon who died at birth.

Elvis took up racquetball in early 1970's and he enjoyed the sport so much that he decided to build his own court. The personal sports complex built in 1975, was completed with weight training area on ground floor, full size racquetball court and a jacuzzi with dressing room upstairs. Elvis spent US$200,000 to build this complex and personally supervised the construction.

Extensive modification of the mansion were carried out to suit the needs and taste of Elvis Presley after he purchased the property. In addition to the racquet ball court, the better known one was the Jungle Room which feature an indoor waterfall but it was finally converted into a recording studio. His last two albums were recorded at this room.