Music Museums

International Bluegrass Music Museum

The International Bluegrass Music Museum is based in Owensboro, Kentucky. This is the only museum of its kind dedicated to preserving and showcasing Bluegrass Music. Visit the museum and walk along the Timeline of Bluegrass Music, see significant musical instruments and hear recordings from the earliest days of Bluegrass.

“Uncle Pen’s” Cabin

‘’Uncle Pen’s’’ Cabin is based in Rosine. This is where Bill Monroe first learned to play music. This rural mini-museum will take you deep into the roots of Bluegrass music. You can also visit the Rosine Barn, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, where Bill was known to perform and take in a free jamboree any Friday night!

Country Music Highway Museum

The U.S. 23 Country Music Highway Museum was opened in April 2005, and is located next to the Paintsville Visitor’s Centre off the Paintsville exit of U.S. 23. The Museum exhibits memorabilia about the many U.S. 23 Country Music Highway stars. Visitors can also enjoy live bluegrass music at "Front Porch Pickin".

Hotel Metropolitan

Hotel Metropolitan is located in Paducah, Kentucky and was built in 1909 by Mrs. Maggie M. Steed when she was just 24 years old. An acute businesswoman, she saw the need for a modern “coloured” hotel soon after she moved to Paducah in 1893. Using her husband’s name, she made a deal with a lumber company that owned the land at 724 Jackson St. Her small hotel was soon highly respected and welcomed people such as Ike and Tina Turner, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, James Brown, Little Richard, Fats Domino.
Its best days behind it, the hotel closed in 1996. In March 1999, the City of Paducah condemned the building and posted it for demolition. That April the Upper Town Heritage Foundation was given a year to stabilise it and raise money for its restoration. Today the hotel is a delightful place to visit and you can learn about its famous visitors.