Did You Know You Can Visit Loretta Lynn’s Kentucky Homeplace in Butcher Holler?

Loretta Lynn is one of the original queens of Country Music. She was a trailblazer breaking glass ceilings for women in the industry.  A lot of her songs pushed the envelope of the time, but they were topics relevant to many living in the hollers of Kentucky.  She gave all women a voice, championed for equal rights, and garnered respect for Appalachia and mining communities.

Growing up in Butcher Holler (Hollow) was not easy for her and her family including her sister another iconic Country queen, Crystal Gayle. I love the movie with Cissy Spacek Coal Miner's Daughter. Even though the film was made over in Letcher County, KY, the original homeplace in Van Lear just south of Paintsville has been preserved and is open for tours.

Get our free mobile app

Tours run from April through November for only $5 and you can see some authentic memorabilia like their old radio, one of Loretta's first guitars, and the swing that once hung on the front porch. It's been moved inside to prevent theft, but I can picture Loretta swingin' and singin'.

Here is a video of some of the original homestead.

What you don't see here are other parts of town that celebrate Loretta's life like Webb's General Store.  It was an old coal mining camp store, and you can still get an RC Cola and a Moonpie there. Chances are someone will pop in with stories about Loretta and what life was like back when she grew up there. Like Loretta's brother Herman Webb, who may even be your tour guide.

Paintsville Tourism has more information about how to plan your visit with some other attractions in the area including the old school house, quaint bed and breakfast options, and the US 23 Country Music Highway Museum.  The perfect little road trip for country music fans or proud Kentuckians.