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Why Owensboro?

The International Bluegrass Music Association was founded in Owensboro, Kentucky in 1986. While the IBMA relocated to Nashville years ago, Owensboro has been the home of the Hall of Fame since 1991.

Passionate fans, supporters, government officials, and board members gathered to raise funds and petition the State of Kentucky to secure the remaining amount needed to build the brand new Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, right on the banks of the Ohio River near the birthplace of bluegrass music.

Down the Road from the Homeplace of Bill Monroe

When you visit the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, you are just 45 minutes from the homeplace of Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass. Rosine, Kentucky, is where Bill Monroe grew up and where Bill, his siblings, his parents, and his greatest musical influence, Uncle Pen are buried in the Rosine Cemetery. You can also see the little country church where Bill Monroe’s funeral was conducted, or mail a letter home from the Bill Monroe Post Office.

Located just 2 miles west of Rosine is Jerusalem Ridge, site of the Monroe Homeplace. The home has been fully restored and is open to the public daily for guided tours.

You can also visit the nearby newly-constructed “Uncle Pen’s Cabin” on the site of the original cabin of Bill Monroe’s Uncle Pen Vandiver.

Bill Monroe Homeplace

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