Coal Miner's Daughter Museum — Attraction in Tennessee

This year for vacation I narrowed it down to either Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Tennessee or Savannah, Georgia. We’ve never been to either. When I ask my 73 year old mother which she’d like, her response was “I’ve always wanted to visit where Loretta Lynn lives.” Tennessee it was. That was in June 2021. Everything was booked, including two nights in Hurricane Mills. Then August 21, 2021 there was devastating flooding that hit that area. I messaged the AirB&B and they weren’t affected but Loretta Lynn’s ranch was closed down. With the loss of their ranch foreman Wayne Spears, it had to be heartbreaking. We choose to not cancel anything and hoped we could at least drive by it. Around the beginning of October, I found out through their website, the Coal Miner’s Daughter’s museum had reopened. And a week prior to our trip, the house tours were once again going to be running. Seeing the remnants of the flood damage was moving and their resilience was very evident. This place is great. The young lady in the gift shop was so very nice. As was the lady who sold us our tickets. The tour guide was very enthusiastic, energetic, charismatic, and funny. Having the replica of Butcher Hollow is genius. It looks so authentic. The museum is very well laid out and I loved the touches of Loretta’s hand written descriptions. I’d explained, to my mom, before this trip, that Loretta no longer lives in the plantation house, but lives right behind it. She loved getting to walk thru this historic home so much. We both laughed when we noticed the dresser Loretta had in her bedroom, was the same one my mom bought my sister and I in our youth. While in the kitchen, the tour guide pointed out that looking thru the kitchen window, what we had a view of, is Loretta’s current home and she is at home. That she’s probably sitting on her sofa, in her pink robe, eating chocolate, and watching Forensic Files. My mom ask him if he had her phone number in his cell phone, which he replied yes. She then ask him to text her and ask her to go to her window and wave hi to us. I knew then, my mom was having the best time. This place gave us memories we’ll...

This place is awesome. But..... When we first arrived we went into building to purchase tix for plantation home tour. We were told by lady at counter next tour would begin at 2:00. It was only 11:15. She then explained details of tour & that we would be visiting simulated coal mine & butcher holler replica home. We would then board a shuttle to go to plantation home & return on shuttle to be dropped off at museum. But since we were early we could visit museum first & grab lunch at the snack shop... Kinda do things backwards. Ok we told her.. sounds great. We would do that. We exited building and got lunch (excellent HB & nicest lil girl working counter) & walked around looking at shops & doll museum. My husband decided to go back into tix place & purchase tickets for the actual tour. He returned & stated he overheard the same lady at counter telling ladies in front of him they were in luck because they got last ones. He told her she never mentioned anything about having to purchase tix at that moment the first time we were in there and in fact she told us to go tour the museum while we were waiting but you have to have a ticket to even get into museum. She informed him she would sell him two tickets for tour if we didn't mind standing on shuttle bus ride over to house. Not very professional customer service. She knew in first place we were going on the tour but she never once said go ahead and purchase tix... museum requires it anyway.... Nothing. We ended up not standing due to backer outers.... Beautiful place and I love loretta Lynn so much..great tour guide and lady in museum.. There's a sign in front of large picture of her home... On SAME SIGN Loretta wrote that the bicycle was a gift from Doo... No bicycle.... It was on the other side of the exhibit. Near the big red truck.... Please put it back near the sign to which it belongs... Or erase that from the sign and have another one written to go beside the bicycle. Please.... It needs to be beside its description. Lovely visit and would...

Our guide was adorable. She could pass as a young relative of Loretta. We even wondered if she was! We toured during a heat wave, it was nice to find air conditioning in the homes we toured. The cute little coal mine setup was hot and they do tell you ahead of time and give you the option of pass or go. The museum is a trail of time, musically and fashionably. I had my small grandchildren with me, so I didn't have the option of slowing down to take in some of the finer details of the museum. The gift shop and food area were people friendly and pleasing. It was nice to have the option to sit, relax, and nibble while enjoying the gorgeous river scenery. There is even a small childrens playground. I didn't want to give too much away with photos. Our day was hot but quite enjoyable. We left...