5 Ways to Experience Dolly Parton's Legacy |
From songs and books to a Tennessee road trip, here are a few ways families can remember what Dolly gave the world. |
Dolly Parton gave people more than songs. She gave them stories, laughter, grit, generosity and a version of success that still felt close to home. In remembrance of her life, families can do more than read headlines or play one song in the background. They can experience pieces of what she built.
Here are five ways to spend time with Dolly's legacy.
1. Play the songs that made her timeless
Start with the obvious ones: "Jolene," "I Will Always Love You," "Coat of Many Colors" and "9 to 5." Those songs cover a lot of Dolly's range. Heartbreak. Work. Childhood. Pride. Survival.
2. Watch a Dolly movie night
Dolly's screen work gave people another way to see her personality. "9 to 5" is the best-known pick, especially for adults who want to revisit her humor and working-woman confidence. "Steel Magnolias" is another one many families remember, though it comes with heavier moments.
For a lighter night, look for a Dolly Christmas special or family-friendly performance. The point is not to watch everything. Pick one thing that shows her warmth and let that be enough.
3. Sign up a child for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
One of Dolly's most practical gifts was her Imagination Library. The program mails free books to children from birth to age five in participating communities, regardless of family income.
Register Your Child for The Imagination Library
4. Plan a Tennessee trip around Dollywood
Dollywood in Pigeon Forge is more than a theme park with her name on it. It reflects the mountain culture, music, food and family atmosphere tied to where Dolly grew up.
5. Read or listen to Dolly in her own words
Dolly was funny, sharp and more strategic than people sometimes gave her credit for. A book, interview or audiobook can show that side of her.
Look for "Dolly Parton, Songteller" if you want the stories behind her music. Her children's books are another good way to bring her into a family reading night. Dolly understood that a story can make people feel seen, and that may be one reason her work traveled so far.
A Simple Way to Remember Her
Pick one song, one book or one family activity this week. Dolly's legacy was not built around being admired from a distance. It was built around giving people something they could carry into their own lives. |
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Jolene is still one of the greatest songs ever written. My mom played it constantly when I was little and I can still hear every word.
She really did give so much and never made it feel like a big deal. That is rare in anybody famous.
Honestly never picked up the Songteller book but might finally do it now. Always meant to.
I appreciate that this focuses on actually doing something instead of just streaming a playlist and calling it a tribute. The book idea especially feels right for families with little ones.
Songteller is a great book. Each song has its own little chapter explaining where it came from. She was way more intentional about her writing than most people realized.
9 to 5 holds up so well it is kind of crazy. Put it on last year and my teenage daughter thought it was hilarious. Good movie night pick for sure.
People forget she turned down the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice and the Medal of Honor once before finally accepting. She did not chase recognition and that says a lot about her.
Steel Magnolias wrecked me the first time. Beautiful movie but have tissues ready if you go that route.
I had no idea the Imagination Library was available here. Just looked it up and our zip code is covered. Signing my nephew up today.
Steel Magnolias is not a light movie night pick lol. Good suggestion but warn people to have tissues ready.
We did Dollywood two summers ago from Huntsville and it was maybe a four hour drive. Totally worth it for a long weekend. The food alone was worth stopping for.
Coat of Many Colors wrecked me as a kid because we did not have much either. That song hit different when you actually lived something close to it.
We signed our granddaughter up for Imagination Library when she was born and those books kept coming every month. She is four now and already obsessed with reading. Best free thing we ever did.
Pigeon Forge is only a few hours from Huntsville. We do it every fall. The Smokies alone are worth the drive.
9 to 5 is a perfect movie night pick. My daughters love it every time we watch it together.
Did not know the Imagination Library was still running. Going to sign my granddaughter up today. What a way to honor her.
Coat of Many Colors made me cry the first time I heard it as a kid and it still does. That song hits different when you grow up with not a lot.
We took the kids to Dollywood two summers ago and honestly it was one of the best trips we ever did. That place has so much heart.