Work is officially underway for the world-class museum and cultural center coming to Philadelphia as part of an expansion project of Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music.
The Congress, which first opened to the public in 2022, aims to preserve the rich heritage of country music and its impact on American culture. Its namesake, Country Music Hall of Famer Marty Stuart, was on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday to mark the official beginning of construction on the remainder of the Congress of Country Music campus.
“This is more than just a museum project,” Stuart said at the ceremony. “It’s about the preservation and furtherance of our musical history and culture. With the support of incredible partners, we’re creating a space that will inspire, educate, and connect generations through the stories of country music.”
The ceremony included a tribute to Miss Cynthia Lake and the Cynthia Lake Charitable Trust, a nonprofit fund based in Reno, Nevada, whose contribution to the Congress will be remembered with the dedication of the “Cynthia Lake Green Room and Administration Building.”
“Many individuals across the U.S. came out of the woodwork to devote their talent and resources to build the Marty Stuart Congress of Country Music for rural Mississippi,” Lake, president of the fund, said. “This museum will have a positive impact for generations. Visitors from around the world will visit Philadelphia, Mississippi, and learn of its history and musical influences. I couldn’t be more proud of being a part of this groundbreaking project.”
The museum will serve as a centerpiece of the Congress, showcasing Stuart’s extensive collection of country music treasures, along with other artifacts from the newly established partnership with the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Officials with the organization noted in a press release, “The Congress of Country Music represents a cultural milestone, poised to become a beacon for country music enthusiasts and a significant addition to Mississippi’s cultural and tourism landscape.”