The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum officially opened its latest exhibition, Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker. To celebrate the unveiling of the new edition, a special evening event was held on Monday, May 19, featuring tribute performances and an appearance from the country queen herself.
During last night’s celebratory event, Alison Krauss & Union Station were on hand to perform a selection of Dolly Parton’s classics like “Coat of Many Colors” and “The Seeker,” before Parton took the stage to share a heartfelt speech.
While standing at the mic, she reflected on the scarifies she has made, including missing out on time with family and friends and vacations so that she can be completely devoted to her career. Parton reveals that no matter how much she may have missed out on in her personal life over the years, she believes it has all been worth it to build that life she now has.
“Empty or full, I’ve carried my pale. But you don’t drink the water if you don’t dig the well. Grindstone and rhinestones have made up my life. And you ask, ‘was it worth the sacrifice?’ Well, I reckon it was because I’m here tonight and I’m thankful for every person that’s ever helped me,” she shared honestly. “I’m thankful for you tonight. I love all of you and I hope you have a good time when you go through and look at a few of the things and kind of see my journey as a singer.”
Open through September 2026, the exhibit explores defining moments in Parton’s more than 60-year career, spotlighting the challenges she’s overcome and the resilience that’s made her a global icon.
Through handwritten lyrics, performance outfits, instruments, awards, rare photos, and exclusive video interviews, Journey of a Seeker offers an intimate look at the personal and professional path of one of country music’s most beloved stars.
Examples of displayed items include:
- Parton’s first draft of handwritten lyrics to her classic song and #1 country hit “Jolene.”
- A custom-built Gibson five-string banjo with a white metallic finish, rhinestone embellishments and butterfly motifs used by Parton at performances in 1992 and on her “Halos & Horns Tour” in 2002.
- A cowgirl outfit Parton wore in the 1980 Hollywood film “9 to 5.”
- Hand-painted and beaded boots, designed by Bambi Breakstone, which Parton wore at the photoshoot for her 2002 album, Halos & Horns.
- The Kennedy Center Honors medallion Parton was presented in 2006 to honor her lifetime of contributions to American culture.
- A Tony Chase-designed lace dress, embellished with pearl beading, Parton wore when she performed the R&B classic “I’m a Hog for You Baby” as a duet with the Muppets character Miss Piggy on an episode of Parton’s ABC-TV variety series, “Dolly!,” in 1987.
- The Gibson L-30 archtop acoustic guitar, built around 1935 — given to Parton as a gift from her brother Floyd Parton — which she played in the 1991 music video for “Silver and Gold,” from her album Eagle When She Flies.
- The dress, with balloon sleeves, chiffon skirt, bugle beading and rhinestone accents Parton wore at a 1978 photoshoot by celebrity photographer Harry Langdon Jr. The likeness of her on a Dolly Parton-themed pinball machine, made by Bally in 1979, was based on one of Langdon’s photos of her in this dress.
- Designed for Parton by Lucy Adams, a pantsuit with bell sleeves, bell bottoms and rhinestone-and-bead embellished floral shapes, worn by Parton when she toured with her Traveling Family Band in 1975, and on the cover of Dolly, her 1975 album also known as The Seeker/We Used To.
An illustrated companion book that expands on the exhibit, showcasing historical photos and featured artifacts in greater detail is available now in the museum store and online. It will also soon be offered through bookstores and digital retailers via a distribution partnership with the University of Illinois Press.
In addition, the museum’s Taylor Swift Education Center features a special display honoring Dolly Parton’s commitment to childhood literacy through her Imagination Library initiative.
Access to the Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker exhibit is included with museum admission. A limited number of timed tickets for the exhibit are available each day.
The museum will hold a variety of programs throughout the life of the exhibit, including public programs and arts and crafts programming for families. More information on the exhibit, upcoming related programming and how to make advanced reservations can be found on the museum’s website.
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