Graceland's Meditation Garden

Above, the marble monument that once stood at the Presley
Family plot at Forest Hill Cemetery. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Meditation Garden at Elvis Presley's Graceland estate is where he, his parents and grandmother are buried. The Graceland tour concludes at the Mediation Garden.

According to the Elvis Australia website:

The Meditation Garden, just south of the swimming pool area, was constructed 1964-1965. It was built by Elvis as a place for contemplation. It includes a circular pool containing circular fountain jets, and a semi-circular pergola of Ionic columns on the south side of the pool with fountains. A stepped brick wall with four arched openings containing stained-glass panels curves to follow the pergola and encloses the Meditation Garden's south end. Presley planned this garden as a private retreat.

After Elvis' death on August 16, 1977, security issues at Forest Hill Cemetery, his original burial site, led to his reburial on October 2, 1977 on the south side of the pool with fountains. An eternal flame encased in a hexagonal glass container sits at the head of Elvis' grave. Elvis' mother Gladys was also reburied in the Meditation Garden, and the large marble monument from the Presley family plot at Forest Hill was relocated as well. Elvis' father Vernon was buried here in 1979, and his grandmother Minnie May Presley followed in 1980. The Meditation Garden also features a marker in memory of Elvis' still-born twin brother, Jesse Garon.

 Below are photos of the Meditation Garden gravesite:

Above, the Meditation Garden fountain and pergola. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Elvis's mother Gladys. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Elvis's father Vernon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Elvis's grave. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Elvis's grandmother Minnie. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the memorial marker for Elvis's stillborn brother Jessie. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a view of all of the Presley graves. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Mediation Garden from the pool. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Elvis Presley's Graceland

Above, Graceland.  

Photos by Armand Vaquer

Yesterday, I took the tour of Graceland. This was the second time I have done the tour. The last time was in 2001. At that time, I was still using a film camera, so my picture-taking was limited and they don't allow flash photography inside. The advent of digital photography allows photography inside without the need for using a flash (so they're okay with it) and many more photos can be taken.

As I must have taken over 100 photos, there will probably be several posts of photos of Graceland. This will be a general overview of the tour.

Everything in the mansion is as they were when Elvis Presley lived there. Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley use the mansion for family gatherings and during the holidays. The upstairs part of the mansion is off-limits to visitors and remains private. Next to the White House, Graceland is the second most-visited residence in the United States.

When visitors board the bus for the short ride across the street, they are handed a tablet computer and headphones so that each room is explained by actor John Stamos. Of course, everyone has to give them back after the tour. This is a new feature since I last visited Graceland.

The tour begins with a walk though the front door and ends in the Meditation Garden.

Here's some:

Above, boarding the bus.

Above, arrival at the mansion.

Above, the living room and music room.

Above, the Jungle Room.

Above, the Jungle Room.

Above, the walk through the carport to Vernon Presley's office.

Above, the rear of the mansion.

Above, a view of the pool towards the Meditation Garden.

Above, jumpsuits and gold records displayed in the former raquetball court building.

Above, concert jumpsuits.

Above, the Presley family graves in the Meditation Garden.

Above, Elvis Presley's grave.

To see photos of the grounds of Graceland, go here.