Patsy Cline’s Hometown Finally Strives to Remember Her
There is no statue for Patsy Cline in her hometown of Winchester, Va. Although she’s one of the most celebrated country singers in history, you’d be challenged to find much that honors her there. It’s enough to make her fans fall to pieces. The house where she lived with her mother is noted with a historical marker. There’s a memorial highway on the outskirts of town, and a boulevard in town named for her. However, I would have never found her flat gravestone in Shenandoah Memorial Park without a local tourism representative literally leading me to it.
See photos from Patsy Cline’s hometown of Winchester, Va.
Now, 45 years after her death, a not-for-profit organization called Celebrating Patsy Cline, is finally striving to remember her. Last year, CPC and Legacy, Inc., bought more than 100 personal effects from the estate of Cline’s brother. Cline’s husband and their two children have endorsed the project too. But first the CBC must purchase the museum site, an old department store where Cline’s mother once shopped. The first floor will house the memorabilia; the second floor is expected to be renovated for entertainment.
In the meantime, Cline’s fans can step back in time at Gaunt’s Drugstore, where she worked at the soda counter before making it in Nashville. Although the city historically has regarded her as a wild child from the wrong side of the tracks, some people who remembered her from the drugstore say she had a heart of gold. And, wow, that voice. To celebrate her outrageous spirit, toss back a Patsy Pilsner at Picadilly Brewpub in downtown Winchester. It’s pretty much the only Patsy souvenir you’ll find in town. Hopefully in the next few years, there will be a big, crazy reason to celebrate.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
J.R. Journey says:
It’s about time … I visited Winchester once in 2003 while visiting friends in Hagerstown, MD - and left highly disappointed there was no Patsy Cline Museum in town.
CJ says:
Well deserved. I grew up listening to her…….She was a true country star. Not like it is today.
A Fan says:
Don’t expect to see the museum ever open. I know the people involved. Too many egos playing against each other.
WinRes says:
They’ve been trying to do this for years, the “museum” hasn’t been touched in forever, it’s a joke and it’ll never be finished.
Bill says:
A recent report in the North Virginia Daily says that CPC lost 87 thousand dollars in 2007 and forever still no museum.
Bill says:
The loss has been confirmed by the IRS Form 990 for Celebrating Patsy Cline.
Bill says:
It is now three years since CPC signed the lease for the building at 134 N Loudoun Street and it remains empty.
Yet CPC are now planning to create an “interim” museum in the house at 608 S Kent Street.
Bill says:
From the CPC website.
Not refered to here as a museum but as a “historic site”. Perhaps the conditions imposed on a historic site will be less stringent than conditions that would be imposed on a museum.
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The House & Its Patsy Cline History
6/9/2009
Patsy Cline’s former home at 608 S. Kent St. will be restored as a historic site. The approximately 1,000-square-foot house will reflect the time period, the 1950s, and lifestyle of the Hensley family — Virginia (Patsy), Hilda (her mother), her brother, and her sister.
A brick-a-thon campaign is under way to raise funds to restore and repair the house.
Anyone may purchase a brick, made by Frederick Block, Brick, and Stone in Frederick County, to be used on the sidewalk in front of the house. Costs run from $100 for one name line to $150 for two name lines and a star or other decorations.
Call 888-608-2726 or write P.O. Box 3900, Winchester, VA 22604
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