Plans for a museum honoring the late Patsy Cline have been revealed for Nashville.
Bill Miller, the founder of The Johnny Cash Museum, made the announcement Friday with his wife, Shannon.
The Miller family said they were funding and operating the venture with the start of construction planned for June.
"Of all the artists in the history of country music, few are as recognized and as recognizable as Patsy Cline,” Bill Miller said. “Despite the fact that she passed decades ago, her impact and presence are every bit as big today as ever. She has transcended generations and genres and is indisputably the greatest and most influential female country music artist of all time. She's a true icon deserving of her own museum. Her fans from around the globe will have a place to come and celebrate her life and legacy. It's a pleasure and an honor to be working with Patsy's children on this world-class museum project.”
Julie Fudge, Patsy Cline's daughter, spoke on behalf of her brothers, Randy and Chip.
"Since the passing of our father last fall, this is our first step together in continuing to share Mom’s music, life and story, as we feel Dad would have,” she said. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with and experience what Bill will present to old and new fans alike."
The Miller’s said the museum would sit above the Johnny Cash Museum in the 100 block of Third Avenue.
They added it would span several thousand square feet with exhibits featuring “interactive cutting-edge audio and touch screen video technology.”
Many never-before-seen pieces will be displayed from the personal archive of Patsy Cline’s family.
Those pieces were set to include Cline's personal possessions, costumes, awards, letters, furniture, and photographs.
“I’m grateful for Bill Miller’s leadership in helping to preserve and showcase Nashville’s history, and I’m looking forward to visiting the new museum and learning more about the remarkable life and career of Patsy Cline,” said Mayor Megan Barry.
Cline was a crucial part of the 1960s sound, breaking barriers in Nashville as the first female to successfully record and chart “cross-over” pop hits.
She was also able to mirror the iconic level of stardom of her male peers, including Jim Reeves, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley.
Cline passed away in a private plane crash in 1963 near Camden, Tennessee at the age of 30.
