If you’re a regular reader here at Wichita on the Cheap, you probably already know that Wichita, Kansas was first to rock the electric guitar.
It’s true! Our city is where the electric guitar made its debut in 1932. The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum has kept that bit of local knowledge alive over the years, and it has taken the initiative to collect electric guitars with local historical connections.
From November 1-16, 2025, you can see these guitars in a special exhibit, Wichita’s Guitar Heroes: Electric Guitars from the Permanent Collection.
This special exhibit features the electric guitars of notable local musicians. On view are the electric guitars of: Bill Goffrier, Berry Harris, Ralph Krenzer (Sammy Hart), Clif Major, Pat McJimsey, Henry Walker, Marce Reyes, Shark Shelton, Bud Victory, Joe Walsh, Bob Wiley, and Johnny Western.
This exhibit coincides with two related events. First, Wichita’s living guitar hero, Joe Walsh, will be in town performing with some other legendary guitarists at a special veterans benefit concert during this exhibit on November 15. Your ticket for that concert will also get you free admission to the Guitar Hero exhibit at the museum.
Additionally, National Electric Guitar Day is November 27. The historic museum celebrates this throughout the month of November with the special exhibit of THE first electric guitar.
The guitar, a 1932 Rickenbacker Electro prototype, was used by Gage Brewer, who brought it directly to Wichita from Los Angeles for a sensational introduction. On loan to the Museum, this guitar is featured in numerous books and articles published worldwide and has been exhibited recently at the Musical Instrument Museum and the Eiteljorg Museum.
The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1-5 p.m. and Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You can easily find it on Main Street downtown when you look up, because it’s the building with the clock tower. (That tower is so cool. Sometimes the museum opens it for tours.)
Admission to the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum is FREE on Sundays and inexpensive the rest of the time.
Dates: November 1-16, 2025
Time: Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, 1-5 p.m.
Location: 204 S. Main St, Wichita, KS 67202
Cost:
- Free with VetsAid ticket, with membership, or on Sundays;
- $5 Adults
- $2 Children ages 6-12
- Free for children under 6
For more information: WichitaHistory.org
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