NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Dolly Parton’s longtime creative director, Steve Summers, has designed hundreds of outfits for the iconic singer throughout her career, witnessing her evolution as an entertainer. During the opening of a new museum dedicated to Parton, he noted that every fan has their unique version of Dolly that resonates with them.
Summers addressed a crowd at the museum's opening on Tuesday, stating, “Every person in here has a different Dolly Parton that they are in love with.” This new space, named "Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum," is a 20,000-square-foot establishment that explores various facets of Parton’s life and contributions, which include her roots in the Smoky Mountains, her theme park Dollywood, her successes in film, her unique fashion sense, her deep faith, her family, and her philanthropic work through the Imagination Library.
He encouraged attendees to discover their own connection to Parton by reflecting on how they fell in love with her talent, emphasizing that the journey through the museum will be a rewarding experience for many. The museum is part of a larger complex that includes Dolly Parton’s SongTeller, a themed hotel featuring 240 rooms adorned with elements like glitter, rhinestones, guitars, butterflies, and multiple portraits of Parton, all predominantly decorated in shades of pink.
The SongTeller hotel also boasts two performance spaces and a café, as well as hotel rooms equipped with musical instruments encouraging guests to engage in songwriting activities. A highlight of the museum is Parton’s original wedding dress, which she wore during her marriage to Carl Dean. This dress was thought to be lost until it was rediscovered by Parton’s niece, Rebecca Seaver, who is curating the museum. She found it a year ago, carefully wrapped in a paper bag inside a trunk.
For many involved in the creation of the museum and hotel, the occasion is a poignant reminder of Parton's absence. Steve Summers expressed the bittersweet nature of the event, stating, “We were as surprised as anybody that she’s not here to see it. It’s beautiful to get to see all of her work come to life, and it’s hard to know that she won’t ever have seen it.”
The opening of Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum serves as an essential homage to the multifaceted career and enduring legacy of Dolly Parton, allowing fans and visitors to celebrate her contributions while reflecting on the impact she had on their lives and the entertainment industry.
