Opening its doors in early 2017 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Songbirds Guitar Museum is a one of a kind treasure trove of iconic historical guitar brands and the people who brought them to life. Housed in a rustic old building completely refurbished and fortified to protect the valuable exhibits inside, this rare museum is nestled into the walking streets of downtown Chattanooga in the Choo Choo complex near plenty of restaurants and bars, bustling with people chilling out and having a good time.


Curator David Davidson shared with us that he’s seen a recent shift in the guitar industry – today, there are more young girls and women attending music camps and buying guitars. It was his vision for this exhibit to shine a spotlight on influential female guitarists as a way to encourage young girls and women to pick up a guitar and play. Attending the exhibit that day, we met Tara Viland and young daughter, Kai, who are part of the Chattanooga Girls Rock Camp. Kai was beaming from ear to ear and thoroughly enjoyed her time at Songbirds.


The Six String Queens’ exhibit honors some of the most influential women guitarists in music. Display cases showcasing the artists included photos and information about each artist. In all of these showcases lie the stories of the guitars they played. While not their actual guitars, they were original models from that time, except for Wanda Jackson’s guitar.
The educational exhibit starts with Elizabeth Cotten born in North Carolina in the 1890s. Originally a lefty banjo player, she later learned to play the guitar upside down. Her unique style of picking was nicknamed “Cotten Picking.” Cotten’s showcase featured a 1966 Martin OOO-18. Visitors then travel through different eras and multiple music styles starting with Maybelle Carter and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and then on the ‘40s through the ‘70s with Mary Ford, Wanda Jackson, Carol Kaye, and Joni Mitchell.
Viewing the history and guitars that helped create the sounds these women produced was truly inspiring and a “must see” for young, aspiring female musicians.
The compelling story is the way Songbirds acquired these two 1958 Sunburst Telecasters. Upon hearing of these guitars, Davidson was on a quest to obtain these treasured instruments. Esther sold her guitar to Davidson and at the time, told him where to find her late sister Bertha’s guitar. The daughter of Bertha did not want to part with her mother’s guitar for fear it would be sold in the open market (a high-value market indeed) just to be sold and re-sold. She preferred to keep it and her mother’s legacy intact.
Davidson was persistent over the next several years sending her Christmas cards and building trust. He had assured her that his plan was not to re-sell the guitar, but to immortalize it next to Esther’s guitar in a very special museum. Finally, able to gain her trust, he was invited back to the home to purchase the guitar and was prepared to pay a handsome sum. But to his surprise, when he began to make his offer, she merely gave him the guitar trusting she had found the place that would cement her mother’s immortality; and wow, they both struck a great deal that day…what a great story!
Well worth a visit to Songbirds Museum to view the most extensive private collection of rare, vintage guitars. And while you’re there, take time to enjoy the talented artists showcased in their music venue.
Photos by Tara Low
Wow! What an amazing collection! I’m heading to Tennessee at the beginning of next year so I’ll stop by and check this place out and revel in the history!
You will definitely enjoy it The Six String Queens exhibit only runs through December, but I’m sure they will have another great exhibit in its place. All of the guitars are well worth a visit, and The Vault is a must see! It’s also a music venue, so check out who will be performing and maybe catch a show. And there’s a great restaurant next door. Enjoy your time in Tennessee.