Historic Dyess Colony Boyhood Home of Johnny Cash

The restored boyhood home and exhibits at the visitor center tell the story of the New Deal agricultural resettlement colony and its impact on its most famous resident, Johnny Cash. The Cash family's house has been restored to the way family members remember it in the 1930s/1940s, providing an insightful look into the young "J.R." Cash's musical upbringing.  The main museum at the Administration Building in the Dyess Circle contains four galleries with exhibits about the history of the Dyess Colony, the Cash family's experience in the New Deal program, and Gene Williams, another Dyess resident who promoted country music throughout the region. The Johnny Cash Heritage Festival is also held on the site on the third weekend of October (October 17-19, 2019).  The festival includes a two-day symposium with free presentations and regional music on Thursday and Friday in the Dyess Circle, with the ticketed main concert hosted by Cash family members on a world-class stage in the field beside the Boyhood Home on Saturday. Tours depart to the Boyhood Home by bus on the hour; the rest of the tour at the Visitors Center and Administration Building are self-guided.  All tours start at the Visitors Center. Please use Exit 41 to Hwy 14 only when coming to Dyess from Memphis.  The GPS directions that use Exit 36 involve a poorly maintained county road and gravel agri road that is unsuitable for motorcycles or tour buses.