Westgate Las Vegas Unveils New Elvis Memorabilia Exhibit

Posted on: July 31, 2024, 02:44h.

Last updated on: July 31, 2024, 05:21h.

Corey Levitan Read More

Expertise: Commercial Gaming, Entertainment, Expert Insight, Las Vegas, Restaurants, Las Vegas Myths.

The Westgate Las Vegas this morning unveiled a permanent new memorabilia collection celebrating Elvis Presley, who performed at the casino resort from July 31, 1969 through Dec. 12, 1976.

One of several panels of a new Elvis Presley memorabilia collection unveiled by the Westgate Las Vegas. (Image: Westgate)

The artifacts include the King of Rock n’ Roll’s army watch, the shoes worn during his last performance at the International Theater, and a lock of his hair.

The new exhibit includes the name tape, stripes and gold Army watch Elvis wore during his time stationed in Germany. “Spearhead” on the patch signified the 3rd Armored Division, in which Elvis served. (Image: Westgate)

The exhibit commemorates the 55th anniversary of the first of Presley’s 636 (not 837) consecutive sold-out performances at the International — which later became the Hilton, then LVH, and in 2014, the Westgate.

From the opening night of his seven-year residency, Presley only ever performed in this building while in Vegas, and only ever stayed in a penthouse modified to his specifications on the 30th floor.

Fit for the King

The Westgate does its part as the hub for all things Elvis in in Las Vegas. A statue has greeted guests in the lobby since a year after Presley died in August 1977.

Fans can rent the Elvis Presley Suite, which — though completely renovated since Presley’s day, overlaps with most of the original suite’s square footage.

And Elvis impersonator Daniel Durston currently headlines on the same stage his idol once did. (His “The King Comes Home” opened at the International Theater on July 9.)

Elvis was gifted this gold belt buckle, which depicted the RCA dog listening to his master’s voice, by Memphis Mafia member Marty Lacker. He wore it as part of his rotating show wardrobe. (Image: Westgate)

Fall From Graceland

However, astute Elvis fans will notice that the new exhibition came neither from Graceland or Elvis Presley Enterprises, but from the private collection of the resort’s newly crowned CEO, Jim Gissy. That’s most likely because of lingering bad blood from the last time these two organizations collaborated.

Back in 2015, 350 Elvis artifacts were displayed in “Graceland Presents Elvis: The Exhibition — The Show — The Experience.” The elaborate production included an Elvis-themed museum, retail store, production show, and even a wedding chapel.

The Westgate signed a 10-year contract with a company representing Elvis Presley Enterprises, claiming to have invested $9 million to prep the 28,000 square feet of space.

These cuff links and a tie pin, part of Elvis’ personal wardrobe, are fashioned to resemble a woman’s breasts. (Image: Westgate)

And really, no one had any reason to think that was a bad bet to make.

Unfortunately, they built it and, for whatever reason, Elvis’ fans did not come.

Inside of a year, it was all gone. The Westgate sued to get its money back, plus $2.25 million in damages, holding the artifacts under lock and key via a legal maneuver known as an “innkeeper’s lien.”

Elvis Presley Enterprises sued the Westgate to get its artifacts back and the whole mess went to arbitration.

Set up inside the main lobby at the Westgate’s front entrance, the new exhibit is free and has no end date scheduled.