Permanent exhibit honoring Les Paul at Waukesha Co. Museum

WAUKESHA (WITI) -- For his entire life, Les Paul called Waukesha his home. Now, in Paul's hometown, an exhibit honoring the music legend has opened at the Waukesha County Museum.

"We saw stuff in other cities and states and this is finally something here, where he's from, and it's really awesome!" Emilio Mendez said.

Paul's story is part of the history on display in the new "Wizard of Waukesha" exhibit at the Waukesha County Museum.

"To see people's reaction, and to hear them so moved and inspired by this exhibit was so fulfilling," Waukesha County Museum President and CEO Kirsten Lee Villegas said.

Villegas says the venue's first permanent exhibition offers a behind-the-scenes look at a musician and inventor who always represented his hometown.

"He wanted his story to be the story that showed that the ‘American Dream’ is still alive. That really -- if you just open up your mind a little bit and be creative and pursue over challenges, that you can accomplish whatever you want, and that you can pursue your dreams—just like he did," Villegas said.

The array of innovative instruments and anecdotal stories provides a peek at Paul's lifetime of creation -- including a solid body electric guitar Paul spent years developing.

Museum Board Member Brad Smith says he hopes visitors find the interactive displays inspiring.

"Find your voice, find your opportunities, because he made do with what he had, and if you do that, that would make him proud," Smith said.

Admission to the "Wizard of Waukesha" exhibit is $7 for adults, $5 for teens and college students and $4 for children 12 and under.

CLICK HERE for additional information on the Waukesha Les Paul exhibit.