Plaque Text for Tennessee Landmark #20:
The Union Gospel Tabernacle was built in 1892 after steamboat captain, Thomas Ryman, heard Rev. Sam P. Jones speak at a tent revival in 1885. Ryman commissioned architect, Hugh C. Thompson, to build the Gothic Revival church, which quckly became a place for secular and religious gatherings. After Ryman’s death in 1904 it was renamed in his honor. Nicknamed the “Mother Church of Country Music,” the Ryman Auditorium was home to WSM’s “Grand Ole Opry” from 1943-1974.
More about the Ryman Auditorium:
There’s a second plaque here about the Birth of Bluegrass, which reads: “In December 1945, Grand Ole Opry star, Bill Monroe, and his mandolin brought to the Ryman Auditorium stage a band that created a new American musical form. With the banjo style of Earl Scruggs and the guitar of Lester Flatt, the new musical genre became known as “Bluegrass.” Augmented by the fiddle of Chubby Wise and the bass of Howard Watts (also known as Cedric Rainwater), this ensemble became known as “The Original Bluegrass Band,” which became the prototype for groups that followed.
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
- Volunteer with Historic Nashville, Inc!
- Buy something from their online shop!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
116 5th Ave N
Nashville, TN 37219
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
The Ryman is open daily for tours from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM!
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