The George Bush Presidential Library & Museum
Music America Grand Opening May 5, 2025
Information courtesy of | George H.W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum
The George Bush Presidential Library & Museum is excited to announce the grand opening of the newest temporary exhibit, Music America: Iconic Objects From America’s Music History. Join us on Monday, May 5, at 4:30 p.m. for a reception celebrating the opening. This event is being held in partnership with the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce as a Deluxe Ribbon Cutting, so all local Chamber members along with the entire community are invited to attend. The exhibit opening reception and ribbon cutting ceremony is free to attend but reservations are strongly encouraged. Please register your attendance at Bush41.org/events.
Music America: Iconic Objects From America’s Music History will open in the Ansary Gallery of American History at the Bush Library & Museum at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 5, 2025 and remain on exhibit through January 5, 2026. With nearly 100 objects representing the best of American music, the exhibit—curated by the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music (BSACAM) at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey—tells the story of how music has informed, interpreted, and inspired our national identity since our nation was founded nearly two-and-a-half centuries ago.
“Music helps shape cultures. Through the evolution of music, we can see the progression of unique and multi-faceted sounds and lyrics that tell the American story,” said Dawn Hammatt, director of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum. “Through this exhibit, our guests will learn the full story of our musical heritage. From early colonial days through this modern era and through a multitude of artists and genres. It is a beautiful and exciting exhibition that we’re proud to share with our community.”
“In curating this exhibit, we didn’t just want to focus on the history of rock and roll in America, or country, or blues, we wanted to tell the story of how all of these genres together have shaped our identity as a nation,” said Robert Santelli, BSACAM Executive Director.
Music America features artifacts from the permanent collection of the BSACAM alongside treasures from other institutions across the country such as the New Orleans Jazz Museum, Hard Rock International, and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, as well as dozens of prominent collectors of American music ephemera.
This exhibit features legendary objects from artists such as Johnny Cash, Sam Cooke, Chuck D, Woody Guthrie, Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Holly, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Tupac Shakur, and more.
Specific artifacts include: a late 18th century hymnal, Bob Dylan’s harmonica, Ella Fitzgerald’s cabaret card, Leonard Bernstein’s outfit and baton, and iconic clothing from Elvis Presley, and Lady Gaga. Along with interactive audio recordings from throughout history, the numerous one-of-a-kind artifacts demonstrate the depth, breadth, and great productivity of American musicians.
The Museum’s Fidelity Gallery will also feature a selection of musical instruments from the Library’s artifact collections. The exhibit will be on display from July 14, 2025, to March 1, 2026.
The George H.W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum is grateful for the generous support of the George & Barbara Bush Foundation in sponsoring these exhibits. The George Bush Presidential Library & Museum is part of the National Archives and Records Administration. The Bush Library & Museum is located on the campus of Texas A&M University, at 1000 George Bush Drive West, College Station, TX, 77845. With captivating exhibits, impressive community programs, and innovative school curricula, the Bush Library & Museum offers exciting educational opportunities for learners of all ages! In addition to the permanent exhibition galleries, the museum features tempora