The most significant landmark of Tupelo's modern history is a modest, two-room house where the King of Rock & Roll was born on Jan. 8, 1935. From this humble beginning, Elvis Presley began his meteoric rise to become the world's most popular entertainer.

The Elvis Presley Birthplace is part of the Elvis Presley Center which includes the Elvis Presley Museum, Memorial Chapel and Elvis Presley Park, which offers complete recreation facilities for picnics and community events.

The home was built by Elvis' father, Vernon Presley for $180 which he borrowed for materials. Even after achieving worldwide fame, Elvis occasionally returned to the house to revisit his humble origins.

The museum houses a unique collection of long-hidden treasures from Elvis's early life as well as his illustrious career. Themed "Times and Things Remembered," the museum contains hundreds of articles of clothing and personal mementos such as motorcycle boots and a jumpsuit from Elvis' Las Vegas act.

The museum is one of the most unique private collections of Elvis memorabilia in the world, and a premier tribute to the King. The Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum, located at 306 Elvis Presley Drive, is open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday (May through September); 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday (October through April); and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, year round. Group tour information is available upon request. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas days. Admission is $1 to visit the birthplace and $4 to tour the museum.