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Graceland Mansion To Be Designated National Historic Landmar

March 24, 2006 | Other
Interior Secretary Gale Norton will join Priscilla Presley on Monday to announce the designation of Graceland, home of the king of rock ā€˜nā€™ roll Elvis Presley, as a National Historic Landmark, the highest such recognition accorded by our nation to historic properties. These special places are the actual sites where significant historical events occurred, or where prominent Americans worked or lived, and represent the ideas that shaped our nation. Fewer than 2,500 historic places carry the title of National Historic Landmark. This event is open to the public.

When:

Monday, March 27, 2006
10:00 a.m. Central Time (11:00 a.m. Eastern Time)

Where:

Graceland
3734 Elvis Presley Blvd.
Memphis, TN

Who:

Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton
Source:EPE - Elvis Presley Enterprises
Lefty wrote on March 24, 2006
As a proud American, I can't be happier about this designation. What a great honor to Elvis and his legacy! Very Cool!
Crawfish wrote on March 24, 2006
As it should be! I am sure Elvis would have been so proud; just hope it always remains "a home"! Look forward to my next visit next month!
Clambake67 wrote on March 24, 2006
i always thought it already was! What does that plaque standing outside the gates actually signify then?
SendToTodd wrote on March 24, 2006
How very very sad that a US Secretary of State can honour Elvis' home, but not honour Elvis Presley the man. I think it is dreadful. It is a scandal - it is a disgrace, and would not make me a proud American. In the UK we have Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Mick Jagger, Sir Tom Jones, Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Bob Geldof, Sir Elton John, Sir Tim Rice, Sir Jimmy Savile and Lord Webber and we are very proud of these countrymen (even if we don't generally like thier music). "Come on America - judge for yourself" and kick some ass!
byebye wrote on March 24, 2006
Super, very good indeed! And Todd..-the "sellouts" from UK have not understood the true meaning of Rock´n Roll.. The only one who did that was John Lennon. Instead of letting anyone "flatter him along the fur", he stripped and gave the finger to both the Beatles and the business itself. -That is Rock´n Roll! And Todd.. America is not so obsessed with "the ass" like a country who has a "Queen" instead of a King:)
EPE wrote on March 24, 2006
The landmark designation IS an honor for Elvis. Graceland is becoming a National Historic Landmark simply because Elvis Presley lived there, making it the physical site in the country most closely associated with him. The house is not being honored, really. Elvis is. It's all about him. A lot of people think Graceland already had the landmark designation. The plaque along the stone wall near the gate is for the State Register of Historic Places, a listing that happened back in the early 1980s. The plaque near the mansion front porch is for The National Register of Historic Places, which Graceland was placed on in 1991. A very, very nice thing, but there are many thousands of sites on the national register. There are less that 2,500 National Historic Landmark sites. The landmark designation is much, much more prestigious. A big plaque for that will come in the weeks or months ahead.
Viva wrote on March 24, 2006
An honour indeed. The fact that it has taken this long to be designated "National Historic Landmark" does tend to lend credence to Todds, somewhat negative, comments. One thing which does irritate the hell out of me is that Americans really can't stand Elvis, I mean, the only accolade of any importance given connected to him is for the bricks and mortar, i.e. the material, money making, tourist boosting aspects. Don't get me wrong, Graceland truly deserves it's place as a National Historic Landmark, because it quite clearly is just that, I would just rather read about a national award being given to Elvis for his contribution to humanity, his record sales or even, God forbid, his unequalled musical legacy. Of course, that is ridiculous. I mean since when do Billboard, the RIAA or the Grammy's pay Elvis Presley any attention.
Devon wrote on March 24, 2006
I knew about this last week and as i write this i am in Memphis. I will be there at 10:00 am when they have the event, i wish all of you could be here with me. Elvis would be so proud as i know we all are. There is no way i would miss this. Elvis is the KING!!!
gary 1 wrote on March 25, 2006
They wouldn't be todds comments if they wern't ''somewhat negative''.
JerryNodak wrote on March 25, 2006
SendToTodd: It is NOT within the power of the Secretary of the Interior to honor a person as such. Those powers are reserved for the President and Congress.
SendToTodd wrote on March 25, 2006
No one has championed Graceland's success more than me. I am thrilled with what EPE have achieved over the years with visitorship to the mansion and surrounding attractions. For heaven's sake bwe bring up to 1,000 of our members to visit Elvis' home almost every year, and everyone is overjoyed and amazed by the experiece. But there is always a danger of forgetting just what these visits are all about. Graceland is the "mother church" for the Elvis fans to remember Elvis (not a house) from around the world - a central meeting point for affinitiy social intercourse each anniversary. For the rest of the time it has to function as a tourist attraction, and in that way serves that industry well. But what about Elvis? Why no congessional medal of honour for the greatest entertainer, some would say one of the greatest Americans, and I would add the best cultural ambassador the US has ever had both in life and after death. Yes, tie a ribbon around the house if that makes everyone feel good, but hang a medal on Elvis' chest. I am ashamed and I too am an American. (I was born just after WWII and my biological father was a GI - over sexed over paid, and over here!)
Lefty wrote on March 25, 2006
Geez people, give it a break! Can't you just enjoy this positive event? All this talk about Congressional medals of honor, "Sir Elvis" and that sort of thing is really over the top. I've been to Graceland three times, and I have taken the long walk down the corridor of awards bestowed upon Elvis. We certainly showed our appreciation to him when it counted most, while he was alive! This designation also represents Elvis the man. The architecture has nothing to do with it. Don't miss the obvious symbolism! If Elvis were alive today, I can guarantee you that he would be thrilled.
cathyreno wrote on March 25, 2006
I'm not a american and to make elvis a sir is abit extreme, but I would love to be there at memphis to see this historic event. but I can't... Even if it is Graceland thats being honored its still a positive reflection on Elvis, "Let it be" as Sir Paul McCarthy would say... Why are we so competive? enjoy elvis the man elvis the music for yourself. I couldnt care how many awards,plaques,honors etc they give him. The only thing a elvis fan needs to know is to keep him alive in their hearts, now I'm going cause these posts are bugging the **** out of me T C B everyone
Teacher wrote on March 25, 2006
On July 25,1963 Congress established a set of guidelines under which the Medal of Honor could be awarded: a.) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; b.) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or, c.) while serving with friendly forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
SendToTodd wrote on March 25, 2006
Teacher, go back to school. Over 260 Congressional Medals of Honour have been given to Military Heros, Scientiest and Entertainers. Bob Hope, Walt Disney, Frank Sinatra, John Wayne have all received them. Sinatra got his in 1995, and he got the Presidental Medal of Freedom from Ronald Reagan ten years earlier. It is my personal opinion that Elvis deserves to be honoured by his country, I really do. Elvis Presley has suffered major media humiliation since his death, and a National Award from his country would be wonderful. But then again at least his home is going to get a plaque. We need a lady like the late Pat Geiger who got the US Post Office to produce an Elvis Stamp to have a go at George W!!!
Viva wrote on March 26, 2006
I'm with Todd on this one. The more I think about it, and look at Americas track record with regards to Elvis, the more I realise that America, as a nation, acts as if Elvis never existed at all or at the very least as if he is some kind of embarrassment. We Brits have said it many times before: America just doesn't deserve Elvis Presley, and the fact that his house gets national recognition before his entertainment legacy really proves how little the good ol' U S of A know or care about one of their most important individuals.
Teacher wrote on March 26, 2006
SendtoTodd, do some homework before you insult the Teacher. You're obviously confusing the Congressional Medal of Honor with The Presidential Medal of Freedom. It is the highest civilian award in the United States, considered the equivalent of the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. It is designed to recognize individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."
Sean Ryan wrote on March 26, 2006
so why hasnt elvis been honored with this presidential medal of freeedom then?
SendToTodd wrote on March 26, 2006
Hey Teacher - leave those kids alone! Congressional Gold Medals of Honour have been awarded to many folk outside of the military, including more recently and posthumously to Charles Schulz the "Peanuts" cartoonist, and even foreigners such as Mother Theresa of Calcutta, and good old Melson Mandela. It's all there on the net. Anyway, if the Peanuts man can get the gong, then he must have pushed Elvis from the front of the queue. And to everyone who is able to attend the plaque proclaimation - have a nice day
Getlow wrote on March 27, 2006
I make that Uncle Todd 2 Teacher 0. And...viva, you are absolutley correct!
Crawfish wrote on March 27, 2006
Yes, it would be great and more than justified to honor Elvis with a medal, but I have to say, it won't make him any more great than he is! I am about to return to Memphis from UK once more and I will still be doing it medal or no medal. I KNOW what it is to love, celebrate and respect Elvis and don't need a trinket to justify it. TCB all.
elvissessions wrote on March 27, 2006
No one in the United States gives a tinker's dam about the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. I suppose it's the sort of thing that sounds impressive to people in Great Britain, where they hand out trinkets of all sorts to make themselves feel important, but it has about the same significance in the United States as National Kidney Health Month. In other words: Who cares? At least the Presidential Medal of Freedom will get you 15 seconds of TV time -- of course no one in the States will have any idea what the award means, but it has given a few doddering starlets a last fleeting moment in the limelight, so I guess it's a sweet gesture in that kind of "what the hell, who are they hurting" kind of way. Neither of these is to be confused with the REAL medal of honor, which most Americans have respect for but which Elvis isn't going to qualify for, as he was never in combat. This kind of knighthood silliness is the kind of thing people outside the United States get hung up on. Maybe people in those nations should be giving Elvis the awards if they mean so much to them.
MauriceColgan wrote on March 27, 2006
The heartening news is that word of the Graceland National Historic Landmark status is being disseminated around the world by the international media. So Elvis is in the News. Bigtime! Even here in Irelandtoo Elvis's home is a favourite destination in the tourist books. Of course Elvis himself should have been be honoured, he should have been honoured by the American goverment decades ago! Surely there are enough Elvis fans in the world to make our views known? Especially now we have computers. A life-sized bronze statue of Sergeant Elvis Presley close to Graceland would be nice.
Sean Ryan wrote on March 27, 2006
I dont think all this has anything to do with medals.I think that most elvis fans are angry that America hasnt really given the respect that elvis deserves.when i think of all the singers actors etc that America has given the world ,the one who stands at the top of the list is Elvis and all you get from some Americans in the media is negative comments.He deserves credit for what he did and America hasnt shown any of that.Is very sad that Elvis is more popular overseas than he is in his own country which he loved so much.
Blue Suede wrote on March 27, 2006
The head of the class is the right place for you, Teacher. Your comments on the U.S. Medals were right on. SendToTodd just missed one small word in the Congressional GOLD Medal of Honor and confused it with the Medal of Honor (often referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor). The important thing is that no matter what medal of honor it is, it's being awarded to Graceland (and, therefore to Elvis). Forget the nitpicking and celebrate the just rewards!!