Corona, CA: Johnny Cash Museum to Open This Summer on Lower Broad

Well, our city certainly has no dearth of music-themed museums and halls of fame and so forth — even if they do adopt extremely long monikers and feature demos by non-Beatles with Beatle names. But before I go digressing, let me just tell you what's up: As reported by our sister publication, The City Paper, Johnny Cash friend and fan Bill Miller plans to open a museum dedicated to The Man in Black this summer on Lower Broad. The museum will be located near the intersection of Third Avenue South and Broadway, and it will cost about $7 million to construct. Says CP:

“This is the realization of a long term dream,” Miller said. Specifically, that dream consists of a two-floor, 18,000 square foot museum, including a 250-seat music venue, honoring Cash's life and musical legacy. Miller said the project will cost roughly $7 million and open this summer. The museum will be privately-funded by Miller, a former Corona, Calif. mayor, memorabilia dealer and expert. “We can do whatever we want ... We don't have a board to report to,” Miller said. “Johnny always trusted me. Whatever I do, [it will be] how he wanted it to be done.”

Miller expects 150,000 visitors in the first year of the museum's opening. The average admission price will be around $13 — and Miller said he hopes to collaborate with other attractions in the area.

You know, I grew up not far from another Cash-dedicated historical outpost — the now-closed House of Cash in Hendersonville — and the HOC's sign will reportedly be relocated to this forthcoming museum for display. Also in the museum will be an excavated portion of the stone wall that once existed at Cash's since-destroyed-by-fire (thanks, Barry Gibb) Hendersonville home. And by the way, I can't seem to determine who took the above photo of Cash at Folsom Prison in '68, but I got it at this site, which appears to have a whole lot of similar gems.