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RYMAN AUDITORIUM HOSTS CEREMONY TO ANNOUNCE CERTIFICATION AS NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.)---June 22, 2001---The Ryman Auditorium has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL) by the National Park Service and will host a ceremony to unveil the plaque and significance of the recognition on Monday, June 25 at 11 am Participants will include U.S. Representative Bob Clement; Steve Buchanan, president of the Grand Ole Opry Group; and Dr. Frank Miele, senior historian National Register Program Division of the National Park Service.
"This prestigious designation for the Ryman was driven by Congressman Bob Clement and we appreciate his efforts," said Ryman General Manager Pam Matthews. "The Ryman Auditorium was selected for its individual contribution to the broad scope of American history under the Individual Topics category of designation."
"If I could pick one structure that truly embodies our country music heritage, it would have to be the Ryman Auditorium, " said Congressman Bob Clement. "As this historic designation from the National Park Service signals, the Ryman is a facility of national significance which elicits a certain devotion and reverence from country music stars and fans alike."
All National Historic Landmarks are included in the National Register of Historic Places, which is the nation's official list of the cultural resources and historic properties worthy of preservation. Landmarks constitute 2,329 or roughly 3% of approximately 72,000 sites listed in the National Register (the Ryman was placed on this list May 6, 1971); the others are of state and local significance. NHLs are identified by theme and special studies prepared or overseen by National Park Service historians and archaeologists.
Most NHLs are owned by private owners who wish to preserve their properties. The NHL owners are free to manage their property as they choose, provided no federal license, permit, or funding is involved. The owner agrees to observe simple preservation precepts with respect to the property and receive technical advice and assistance from preservation experts if needed. The Ryman also received a Phoenix Award from the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) in 1997 for the renovation of the facility. It was also named one of the top 10 "Cool Venues" in the nation earlier this year by Travelocity.
The Ryman Auditorium was built at the cost of approximately $130,000 in 1892 by riverboat captain Thomas Ryman. Built as a church for his spiritual mentor, Reverend Sam Jones, the venue was originally called the Union Gospel Tabernacle. When Ryman died in 1904, more than 4,000 people attended his funeral and led by Jones, voted to rename the building the Ryman Auditorium.
The rich cultural heritage of the Ryman includes stage productions featuring legendary names such as Katharine Hepburn, Orson Wells and Mae West. The venue housed the world-famous Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974. In 1994, the Ryman reopened following an $8.5 million renovation which returned it to its former glory and in 2000 was named one of the Best Venues in the Nation to Hear Live Music by CitySearch. Experts say the Ryman's acoustics are second only to the Mormon Tabernacle, surpassing even Carnegie Hall.
For more information about theatrical and musical events at the Ryman, visit the Ryman Box Office, call (615) 889-3060 or visit www.ryman.com. The Ryman Auditorium is located at 116 Fifth Avenue North in downtown Nashville.
The Ryman Auditorium is part of Gaylord Entertainment, a diversified entertainment company whose businesses operate in two groups: hospitality and attractions, and music, media, and entertainment. It is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., and its stock is traded on the New York Stock exchange (symbol: GET).