Dolly Partons Dollywood Theme Park is known for its attractions, musical performances and delicious cinnamon breadbut it also includes tributes to the late country star’s upbringing.
Located in the Rivertown Junction section of the park, “Dolly’s Tennessee Mountain Home” is a replica of the two-room log cabin where she grew up in the 1940s and 1950s without electricity or running water.
The exhibit was built and decorated by Parton’s immediate family members, making it an authentic representation of her early years.
Parton’s death was announced on Tuesday by Bryan Seaver, the singer’s cousin. She was 80 years old.
Take a look inside Dollywood’s recreation of Parton’s childhood home.
The Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, features a replica of Parton’s modest childhood home.
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Dollywood is just under 6 miles away Sevierville, Tennwhere Parton grew up.
“These mountains and my childhood home hold a special place in my heart,” reads a sign outside the cabin. “They inspire my music and my life. I hope me being here does the same for you! Dolly.”
Parton grew up in the two-room log cabin with her parents and eleven siblings.
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Parton was born in Locust Ridge, southeast of Sevierville, in 1946.
The log cabin where she grew up had no electricity or running water, but Parton fondly remembered her years there in her 1973 song “My Tennessee Mountain home.”
“In my mountain home in Tennessee / Life is as peaceful as a baby’s sigh / In my mountain home in Tennessee / The crickets are singing in the fields nearby,” she sang.
Parton’s brother Bobby built the Dollywood replica and her mother, Avie Lee, designed and decorated the interior.
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A time capsule at the Dollywood DreamMore Resort contains a piece of wood from the porch of the original house, which served as Parton’s first phase.
The dining area had a small table and a wood stove.
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The walls of the cabin were covered with newspaper for insulation.
Religious art adorned the walls.
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Parton had often spoken about how her Christian faith shaped her life and music, tellingly People magazine in 2019: “I’ve always felt like my music was more my ministry than a job.”
Dollywood pays tribute to Parton’s Christian upbringing with attractions such as gospel music performances and a chapel where worship services are held every Sunday.
In the kitchen and utility room, many items came from the original Parton family home.
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The kitchen was equipped with dishes, cast iron pans and a butter churner.
The cabin had only one bedroom.
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Photos of Parton’s parents, Avie Lee Owens and Robert Lee Parton, hung above the bed.
Parton had a long, successful career after her humble beginnings, but she stayed true to her Tennessee mountain roots.
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After graduating from Sevier County High School in 1964, Parton moved to Nashville and began her long, record-breaking career that made her a cultural icon. She died in Nashville on August 25, 2026.
Editor’s note: This story was first published in January 2023 and was updated in August 2026.
