Historical milestones and news headlines aim to capture the spirit of an iconic guitar at a new exhibit at C.F. Martin & Co. in Upper Nazareth Township.
The guitar manufacturer recently opened a museum exhibit celebrating the company’s D-28 guitar.
The company said the exhibit represents one of the most substantial additions to the Martin Museum in years and displays a dozen Style 28 instruments set off by original backdrop artwork by artist Robert F. Goetzl.
The multipanel exhibit traces the development and evolution of the D-28, from the cutting edge of guitar artisanship to becoming the musical standard, the company said. The exhibit displays Style 28 guitars crafted from 1880 through 2017.
The exhibit includes various items displayed from the Martin archives, such as a price list from the early 1800s, news headlines and historical milestones, including the beginning of the Panama Canal construction in 1880, the opening of the Empire State Building in 1931, the premiere of Miracle on 34th Street in 1947 and the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976.
The company said it hired Goetzl, part of the Martin lineage, to create the original molded backdrop, which captures the heritage of the D-28 and illustrates its journey through musical history in the hands of legacy artists, including the Beatles, Elvis and Michael Hedges.
“The D-28 is perhaps the most iconic guitar in the company’s 185 year history.” said Chris Thomas, director of marketing for C.F. Martin & Co. “When people visit the museum we want them to feel as connected to that rich history as we do. The exhibit highlights the major changes to the guitar over the course of 138 years and associates those changes with important news and cultural events that they can relate to. It’s a way to bring the visitor into our world and share our heritage with them.”
The exhibit at 510 Sycamore St. is set to remain open during regular museum hours for the remainder of the year.
