Exhibit showcasing region’s surprising ‘60s music history comes to Hayes Presidential

Memorabilia from Beach Boys and other 1960s’ headlining local concerts, recording studio artifacts and more will be featured in a special exhibit Terra State Community College is organizing at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums.

“Sounds of Sandusky County,” will showcase relics, records and recording equipment from the region’s surprising 1960s music scene.

The public is invited to a special exhibit opening event at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums. The opening event is free, but RSVPs are requested and can be made to [email protected].

During the event, the public can see the exhibit and enjoy a local music history presentation by J. Brennan Willis, Director of Music and Technology at Terra State Community College. The presentation will include newly discovered jazz recordings of Toledo jazz legend Cliff Murphy; stories of local music pioneer Bob Brown, whose concert productions helped bring legendary acts like The Beach Boys, The Kingsmen and The Lettermen to Northwest Ohio; and never-before-seen footage of Fremont in the forties. 

Following the presentation, guests will get a first look at the “Sounds of Sandusky County” exhibit. Curated by Willis in collaboration with Terra State’s Music Program, now celebrating its 25th anniversary, the exhibit explores how Sandusky County has played a vital, and often unexpected, role in shaping American music.

“This is more than just a historical exhibit,” Willis said. “It’s an immersive story of how music shaped this region, and how it continues to evolve through programs like ours at Terra State.”

Highlights of the exhibit include:

• Memorabilia from legendary concerts featuring The Beach Boys, The Lettermen
  and The Kingsmen
• Vintage equipment and artifacts from Sandusky County’s earliest recording studio
• A rare 1965 performance contract for The Beach Boys, signed by Bob Brown and Carl Wilson, brother of Brian Wilson
• Original vinyl records, reel-to-reel tapes, analog soundboards and other technological milestones

The exhibit also looks to the future by spotlighting how Terra State’s Music Program continues to train and inspire tomorrow’s musicians, producers and sound engineers.

“Sounds of Sandusky County” will be open through May 25, 2026. After Sept. 18, access to see the exhibit will be included with regular museum admission.

Terra State faculty, staff and students who present their Terra State I.D. will receive a discount for a Hayes Presidential Library & Museums site pass, which includes admission to the museum and Hayes Home. This discounted rate is $16 for the duration of the special exhibit.

About Terra State Community College
Terra State is a leading community college in Northwest Ohio, providing hands-on education and real-world experience in music, technology, and beyond. Terra State has a long history of service to the community and providing students with an education that is both accessible and affordable. Terra State offers 25 applied degrees and 38 certificates to students.

About Hayes Presidential Library & Museums
The Hayes Presidential Library & Museums is America’s first presidential library and the forerunner of the federal presidential library system. It is partially funded by the state of Ohio and affiliated with the Ohio History Connection. Hayes Presidential is located at Spiegel Grove on Buckland Avenue. For information, call 419-332-2081, or visit rbhayes.org. Like Hayes Presidential on Facebook and follow on Instagram at rbhayespres and on Bluesky at rbhayespres.bsky.social.