Since the passing of Dolly Parton, people everywhere have been reflecting on her legacy and sharing what she meant to them, and that is especially true in her home state of Tennessee. Heartfelt tributes have taken place across the state, with fans and admirers gathering to leave flowers and messages at the Dolly statue in Sevierville, her home in Nashville, and more. Recently, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced that the state government intends to honor Dolly Parton by renaming the Nashville airport after the country music icon. Read on to learn more:
Nashville Airport Renaming
Currently, Nashville International Airport does not bear anyone’s name directly, though the airport code is BNA, which is in reference to its original name, Barry Field. However, the governor of Tennessee proposed that the state honor Dolly Parton by putting her name on the airport, a move that has now also received support from the Metro Council of Nashville. While the ultimate decision on whether to change the name of the airport rests with the airport authority, the significant support generated for the move so far indicates that it is a real possibility. We will update you on further developments!
Dolly Parton’s Connection to Tennessee
Dolly Parton was born in a one-room cabin in Pittman Center, just east of Gatlinburg, and spent her childhood in Locust Ridge near Sevierville. Dolly grew up in poverty, with no running water or electricity at her family home. Her early experiences with poverty helped to shape her dedication to helping others later in her life. Her organization, the Dollywood Foundation, has given scholarships to students in Sevier County, raised money to help the community recover from the devastating 2016 wildfires, and more. Additionally, the foundation operates Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which helps to provide access to free books for children in the United States and beyond who might not otherwise be able to obtain them, stretching Dolly’s impact from Tennessee all across the world.
Learn More About Dolly Parton
If you want to learn more about Dolly, you can check out our feature on the story of her life right here! Dollywood offers several opportunities for visitors to learn more about Dolly’s story, from her childhood growing up in Sevierville, to her rise to stardom, and more. You can visit a replica of Dolly Parton’s childhood home, complete with items that were special to her family, as well as explore the Dolly Parton Experience, which catalogs some of the most important moments of her career.
There will likely be more announcements regarding ways that Dolly Parton will be honored throughout Tennessee, from Nashville to her hometown of Sevierville, and more, and we will keep you updated on them. In the meantime, if you are looking for ways to celebrate Dolly’s life and spirit, then we would recommend paying a visit to Dollywood! With exhibits that tell her story, music in the air, and lots of family fun set against the backdrop of the Smoky Mountains, we can’t think of a better place to remember an icon who touched all of our lives. You can find our ultimate guide to visiting Dollywood right here.
