‘The Instrument That Rocked The World’ At The Discovery Museum

BRIDGEPORT — “Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World” is a touring exhibition that will showcase the unique legacy of the guitar in an entertaining, engaging, and hands-on experience. The exhibit will be on view locally at The Discovery Museum, February 15 through May 15.

The exhibit was created by The National Guitar Museum, the world’s first museum dedicated to the history, cultural impact, excitement and science of this instrument. It was initially scheduled to debut in June in Orlando.

The exhibition is comprised of three elements: the evolution of the instrument, its history and cultural impact, and the science of sound. A wide spectrum of visitors will be engaged in an experience that is visual, tactile, and aural.

According to Harvey Newquist, director of The National Guitar Museum, “Everything about the guitar is celebrated: the way it’s made, the way it’s played. This museum is for the people who play the guitar, the people who make the guitar, and the people who love its music.”

The 5,000 square foot touring exhibition will explore the history and evolution of the guitar-from lutes and lyres to modern high-tech instruments-and show how the instrument became the cultural symbol it is today. The exhibition will feature engaging, entertaining, and educational displays specific to the guitar, including historical artifacts, models, posters, video screens, interactives, and kiosks.

Educational displays will feature everything from how vibrating strings create sound on to the electromagnetic properties of an electric guitar-and even address environmental concerns about how the wood used to make guitars has disappeared through the destruction of rain forests.

“The guitar is the most enduring icon in American history,” said Mr Newquist. “It has been around longer than baseball, basketball, soft drinks, and sports cars. It’s hard to find anyone who hasn’t been affected by the guitar, whether as players or just fans of all types of music.

“And while this may be apocryphal,” Mr Newquist added, “it’s a widely held belief that the two most recognizable manmade shapes on the planet are those of the Coca-Cola bottle and the electric guitar.”

Jeff Bishop, executive director of The Discovery Museum, shared his excitement regarding the upcoming event.

“We are thrilled to be the launch site for the national tour. We’ll feature science, history, pop culture, music, videos, dozens of instruments, lots of ‘touchables’ and ‘playables,’ and just about everything else that makes the guitar the most incredible and versatile musical instrument created,” Mr Bishop said.

General Admission is $9.50 for adults; $8.00 for students, kids; $7.00 for seniors, and free for children two and under.  Hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday- Saturday; and Sunday, Noon - 5 p.m.

The Discovery Museum is at 4450 Park Avenue in Bridgeport. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday from noon to 5 pm.

For more information, visit DiscoveryMuseum.org or call 203-372-3521.