Visitors to West Concord this spring will have a rare opportunity to step inside the world of fine guitar craftsmanship and musical innovation—years before the doors of the Guitar Museum of New England officially open.
The museum will host Hidden Gems, a special pop-up exhibition and event series in the months of April, May, and June at 129 Commonwealth Avenue in the heart of the West Concord Cultural District. The intimate display offers a preview of the remarkable instruments that will anchor the museum’s future permanent collection just down the street.
The museum is being developed in West Concord to celebrate the artistry and cultural history of the guitar—an instrument that has shaped countless genres of American music, from folk and blues to country, jazz, and rock.
Hidden Gems offers a taste of what’s to come.
A Closer Look at the Art of the Guitar
The exhibition will feature a carefully selected group of some 8-10 instruments representing different facets of guitar craftsmanship. Visitors will encounter examples that showcase innovative design concepts, new materials used in modern guitar building, and instruments created as works of art in their own right.
This approach reflects the philosophy behind the future museum: guitars are not just instruments, but objects that combine engineering, artistry, and musical storytelling.
2004 Gretsch G6136 White Falcon Custom Shop. Created by Master Builder Chris Fleming to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic guitar - first shown at the 1954 NAMM show in Chicago.
| Courtesy of Guitar Museum of New EnglandPreview the Future Museum
In addition to the instruments, visitors to the pop-up can see architectural plans and an animated “walk-around” video rendering of the building planned for 74 Commonwealth Avenue, just steps up the street.
The presentation offers an early look at how the future museum will invite visitors to explore guitars up close—through exhibits, talks, concerts, and opportunities to learn about the craft of instrument making.
Music and Special Events
The pop-up space will also host a series of small gatherings, talks, and live performances. Programming begins April 9 with “Meet the Master Luthier,” an intimate master class with legendary guitar builder Steve Kauffman, who will discuss his innovative construction techniques and demonstrate instruments from the museum’s collection.
On May 9, the exhibition’s opening reception will feature live music from the Goodwin String Thing, whose original instrumental compositions will accompany a live poetry reading.
Later events will include informal “Meet the Curator” evenings, where visitors can explore the exhibit while learning more about the instruments and their makers, and a special evening of Celtic harp with Concord musician Jaimee Joroff.
The museum will also participate in West Concord Porchfest on June 13, hosting activities both at the pop-up gallery and at the future museum site nearby.
Part of a Regional Festival
The exhibition is presented as part of the Hidden Treasures Festival, an annual celebration organized by Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area highlighting the people, places, and stories that define the region’s rich cultural landscape.
For visitors exploring Concord this spring, the pop-up offers a unique opportunity to discover a fascinating corner of musical history—and to experience a preview of a new cultural destination taking shape in West Concord.
Tickets and information about upcoming events are available at GuitarMuseum.org/events.
Tax-deductible donations to help bring the museum to life are deeply appreciated and can be mailed to Guitar Museum of New England, PO Box 1037, Concord, MA 01742.
Or give at GuitarMuseum.org.
*This article made possible with the support of the Guitar Museum of New England.