Kirk and Kirsten West purchased the house in 1993 with a dream of restoring it to display their extensive collection of band memorabilia (over 300,000 items). They also wanted to actively promote music in the community. In 2009, the three-story Tudor house opened as the Allman Brothers Band Museum.
The Parlor is the first room you see when entering the Big House. It features an enlarged version of the Band's Fillmore East album cover, gold records, and concert posters arranged in chronological order. When the Allman Brothers Band (ABB) stayed here, Dickey Betts often slept in the this room with his girlfriend, Sandy Blue Sky.
The Fillmore East Room is where the original AAB would jam and rehearse. Instruments and memorabilia (some from before the Allman Brothers Band was formed) is also on display here.
The Old Dining Room has Gregg and Cher's pool table on display. Display cases showcase band memorabilia from 1973 to present.
The Living Room has display cases of band instruments, original phone books, hand written lyrics, and these lovely stained glass pieces.
The self-guided tour continues to the second floor. This was Duane Allman's bed room. Some of his personal items are displayed as well as his the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame award that was given posthumously. For those of you not familiar with the history of the band, Duane tragically died in a motorcycle accident in Macon in 1971. The band, however, carried on, just as they knew he would want them to do.
Across the hall is Brittany Oakley's room, daughter of Berry Oakley (original bassist band member) and his wife, Linda. Her original dollhouse and the dress Brittany wore for the photo on the back cover of the Brothers and Sisters album is hanging in the closet of the room.
Berry and Linda Oakley's bedroom was connected to their daughter's room. Unbelievably, Berry Oakley died (1972) about one year and two weeks after Duane died, also in a motorcycle accident in Macon (about three blocks from where Duane's accident occurred). And once more, the band persisted.
The Music Room was also called the "Casbah," and was where the "family" relaxed and listened to music. The infamous 7-head shower is located off of this room. (Sometimes group showers occurred there...)
Also on the second floor is the Roadie Room. The artifacts here commemorate the roadies that traveled with the band (past and present). Originally, this room was the nursery of Duane's daughter, Galadrielle.
What was once a walk-in closet is now used to showcase promotional photos of every Allman Brothers line-up from 1969 to present. Concert posters, magazine covers and vintage photographs are also on display.
In The Candace Oakley and Gregg Allman Room concert posters of every era can be seen. Display cases hold instruments, clothing worn by band members at performances, and other items of interest.
In the kitchen is one of Gregg Allman's practice pianos along with a couple of paintings of band members.
There is a small gift shop that sells t-shirts, CDs, and other ABB-related souvenirs. After hearing the Allman Brothers music while we were in the museum, we really wanted to buy a CD (we listen to them when we drive the RV), but these were quite expensive. I ordered one from Amazon the next day!
Behind the house is a performance pavilion for present-day musicians. Cases used for the band's gear can also be seen nearby.
I saw the Allman Brothers Band my freshman year at Guilford College in the small auditorium there (April, 1971), and they rocked the house! We both have always loved their music, so it was a real treat to visit this museum.
An interesting tidbit of information we picked up at the museum was that the members of the band frequently ate at H&H Restaurant down the road from the Big House. Frequently low on money, Mama Louise often fed them for free. We decided to go for lunch at the H&H. Low and behold, Mama Louise is still alive and was sitting at the back of the restaurant. I introduced myself and she allowed me to snap a photo of her. When the ABB went on tour in 1971, they took her along as their cook! We ordered their famous fried chicken and it was fantastic.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to this Museum. Learning more about the many band members over the years and both their huge successes and personal tragedies was an interesting journey.
The Big House is open Thursday through Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm; and Sunday 11 am to 4 pm. Admission is $15/adult. Kudos to the Wests for making their dream a reality for all of us to enjoy.
Website: www.thebighousemuseum.com
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