In The Know with Gino: Songbirds Guitar and Pop Culture Museum Set to Relocate to Main Street After Eight Years
Graphic Courtesy of Songbirds Foundation
Chattanooga, Tennessee — In a significant stride toward a vibrant future, Songbirds Guitar & Pop Culture Museum, the iconic museum celebrated for its musical legacy, bids farewell to its Station Street home and eagerly anticipates its relocation to 212 W. Main Street, just a few blocks away. The new venue boasts a rich history as a private space and is now set to embrace the public with open arms. The move signifies a pivotal moment in Songbirds’ journey, marking not only a change in location but also an expansion of its mission and services.
The forthcoming Main Street location is a spectacle in itself, featuring a full commercial kitchen, two bars, expansive exhibit space, and an inviting outdoor patio. This transformative space will serve as a hub for private event rentals, concerts, and rotating music history exhibits. Songbirds will usher in this new era by celebrating this year’s MainX24 Festival in its freshly minted abode, inviting the public to grab a sneak peek of the venue and join in some karaoke festivities.
Reflecting on the move, Executive Director Reed Caldwell shared his sentiments. “The decision to move was a difficult one. We have been an anchor on Station Street from the very beginning,” he said. “I am proud of what our team has accomplished. That said, it is time for us to move on. The new space on Main Street is already the coolest hidden spot in town, and we can’t wait to share it with the public!”
The move comes as a response to the museum’s strategic vision and the necessity to find a new home. Songbirds was unable to secure a mutually beneficial lease agreement with Northpond Partners, the Chicago-based entity that acquired the Choo-Choo Complex in 2021.
One of the most exciting aspects of this move, according to Caldwell, is the increased accessibility. “We’re looking forward to being on the ground level of historic Main Street and getting more people in the door,” he stated. “Not just concert attendees and event rentals, but students. The Foundation’s mission has always been about music education, and we feel like we’re going to be able to better deliver our services out of our new headquarters.”
As part of the transition, Songbirds has introduced discounted rates, inviting the public to savor one last experience at the Station Street location. Adults can explore the museum for $10, while children under 17 accompanied by an adult enjoy free admission. All scheduled concerts will proceed as planned, and the museum’s new exhibits, featuring icons like Dolly Parton and Richard Lloyd, will continue to captivate audiences until December 23, 2023, when the doors close temporarily to prepare for the move.
“If you haven’t been to Songbirds Guitar & Pop Culture Museum yet or seen our awesome collection of guitars, now’s your chance,” urged Caldwell. “We’ve had a great run here on Station Street, and we’ll miss it, but our future at our new Main Street home is very bright.”
Music enthusiasts and the Chattanooga community eagerly await the grand reopening next spring, ready to embrace Songbirds in its stylish new Main Street home, where the melodies of the past will harmonize with the promise of a vibrant future.
SOURCES: Songbirds and NOOGAtoday
