Ryman Auditorium

The history of the Ryman dates back to the 1880's when Thomas Ryman, a riverboat captain and Nashville businessman, attended a revival by famed traveling evangelist Sam Jones. Legend has it Captain Ryman planned to heckle the preacher but instead was converted on the spot and decided to raise money for a permanent place for Jones to preach. The Ryman took seven years to build and cost approx. $100,000. The Ryman Auditorium housed the Grand Ole Opry from 1943-1974, the building gained nationwide recognition as the "Mother Church of Country Music." The Ryman rarely had a seat vacant for Saturday night's Opry, with admission lines extending around the block.