If you’re a fan of The Allman Brothers Band, or maybe just a music history junkie, you will want to be sure to make a stop at The Allman Brothers Band Museum at The Big House in Macon. The Big House became a place where members of the award-winning Southern rockers, The Allman Brothers Band, their roadies, friends and family lived and the growing collection of items on view include instruments the band members played, clothing, music, receipts for spending expenses, news articles and more. Museum staff estimates that the museum’s archives contain about 50,000-75,000 pieces. 

According to Maggie Johnson, the museum’s office manager and director of marketing, “This was the house where the original Allman Brothers Band, family members, and crew members lived from 1970-1973. The house was rented by original ABB bassist Berry Oakley and his wife Linda. The Allman Brothers Band moved to Macon in 1969 after signing a recording contract with Phil Walden and Capricorn Records, which was based here in Macon. The Big House was the base of operations for The Allman Brothers Band; they began and ended tours here, did business here, but also made the house a loving and welcoming environment for everyone involved with the band.” 

Johnson also added that the museum stays busy. The Big House attracted 10,000 visitors to the space in 2015 and is well on its way to attracting even more this year as they are now the second most visited destination in Macon behind The Ocmulgee Indian Mounds according to TripAdvisor.com.

“Most weekends we are full of people from all over the world,” Johnson added. “We normally have anywhere from 20-50 guests per day, and it increases exponentially when there is a concert in Macon or Atlanta. The Gregg Allman Band, Widespread Panic, the Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Dave Matthews, Gov't Mule, Grace Potter and many other bands bring in visitors that are traveling to these concerts.”

The steady flow of visitors also carries weight because that means people are coming to Macon and supporting other local business as well. 

“Many of our visitors are from Georgia and Florida, but we also have people from New York, California, Virginia and even California on a regular basis. Our international visitors come from everywhere, but many of them are from Brazil, the United Kingdom and Germany.” 

And it’s not just a place for fans to gather, either. The collection is so complete that the museum staff receives requests from scholars working on music history projects. And having a place where collectors and fans of The Allman Brothers can congregate has also become a place where people can bring their own rare items to be appreciated. 

“We get great responses and reviews from our guests,” Johnson said.  “… Our Facebook page also boasts positive reviews from happy visitors. We are always grateful to see fans come in and their faces light up because of the pure joy that comes with seeing memorabilia from their favorite band. Most volunteers at The Big House agree that their favorite part of working at the museum is listening to all the stories that our visitors tell.” 

And with all the buzz and increase in visitors, the museum staff is hoping to expand their space and programing through memberships and donations. Currently, they have two floors open at the museum and want to open the third floor to add an additional 1,500 square feet of space to showcase the complete collection. This would enable the team to move their archives that are now stored on the cramped third floor space to a larger space next door so they can organize it in a different way so people can do better research and get a full look at what is now stored in boxes and drawers.

“Right now, one of our main projects is to secure funding for renovating a house that we have acquired,” Johnson explained. “The house is right next door and will be the future home of The Big House archives that are currently stored on the third floor of the museum, as well as administrative offices. The new house will be a place to expand our archives and give the public a chance to see all the ABB memorabilia that we have collected over the years. 

“Moving the archives to a new location will also give us the opportunity to restore the third floor attic of The Big House to its former glory as a billiards room and living quarters of the legendary roadie, Joseph "Red Dog" Campbell. Also included in the new house will be a venue for indoor events, concerts and meetings.”

And aside from the museum’s mission to preserve and promote The Allman Brothers Band musical heritage through programs of collection, exhibition, education and performance, the museum also focuses on music education and provides students with opportunities through internships, performances and workshops. The museum is also host to live music performances on site as well as off-site festivals and would like to expand the number of performances and music opportunities as well as add in additional parking. 

 “Another project for the future is expanding The Big House Youth Drumming Program. We hope to make the program bigger and better, and hopefully we will be able to have lessons and shows in the new house as well.”

The Allman Brothers Band Museum at The Big House is located at 2321 Vineville Ave. in Macon, just blocks off I-75 at exit 164. For more information on the museum, go to thebighousemuseum.org or call 478-741-5551.

Museum hours are Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.