FULLERTON MUSEUM CENTER
The Fullerton Museum Center is a vibrant cultural hub that sparks imagination and fosters community. Our collections, educational initiatives, and special events aim to connect people to art, history, and science. As a community cornerstone, we strive to create memorable experiences for visitors of all ages.
LEO FENDER GALLERY
For over 30 years, The Leo Fender Gallery at the Fullerton Museum Center has drawn visitors from around the world to marvel at the inventive genius behind the world’s most popular musical instrument.
Leo Fender, the father of the modern solid-body electric guitar, was a life-long Fullerton resident, and his most important designs and products were manufactured in shops and factories located in Fullerton, California. The Leo Fender Gallery is a tribute to an American success story of a modest man whose innovations defined an entire genre of music, style, and culture.
Collection highlights have included the first prototype solid-body electric guitar designed by Leo and Doc Kauffman as well as never before displayed memorabilia from Leo’s original radio shop on Spadra Rd. (now Harbor Blvd.) all the way up to guitars and basses he worked on after his time at Fender.
ON DISPLAY LEO FENDER GALLERY:
“A Man Named Charlie: Fender’s Unsung Hero”, celebrates the life and legacy of Charlie Davis, a quiet force behind Fender’s golden era. Beginning his journey with the company in 1957, Charlie worked every step of the manufacturing line, from rough-cut wood to the final finish. But it was his unmatched skill in winding pickups that earned him legendary status. Through decades of change, Charlie remained fiercely loyal to Fender, embodying the spirit of craftsmanship and dedication. This exhibit honors his remarkable contributions and finally gives this unsung hero his spotlight.
ON DISPLAY MAIN EXHIBT – November 22 – February 22:
“CRAZY WORLD AIN’T IT: The Art of John Van Hamersveld” is a retrospective celebrating the six-decade career of one of America’s most influential graphic artists. Best known for his iconic 1964 “Endless Summer” poster, Van Hamersveld helped shape the visual language of surf culture, rock ’n’ roll, and American pop art.