Beloved in 75 countries, Peanuts comic strip was drawn in Santa Rosa by cartoonist Charles Schulz – and this museum follows the journey of Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy and the gang from their 1950 introduction to last laughs in 2000. Downstairs are original Schulz drawings; upstairs are artists' tributes to Peanuts, plus an exacting recreation of Schulz’ art studio: markers on a reclaimed-wood desk, surrounded by bookcases with opera albums and books on artistic influences, from Georgia O'Keefe to James Thurber.
Charles Schulz was an advocate for other artists, from jazz musician Vince Guaraldi – who composed the iconic Peanuts Christmas album – to Christo, the installation artist known for installing fabric gates in New York's Central Park. When Christo proposed installing a fabric Running Fence along the Sonoma Coast, the county was skeptical – but Schulz championed the idea, and the artists became friends for life. After Schulz joked about Christo wrapping Snoopy's doghouse in a comic strip, Christo made 'Wrapped Snoopy's Doghouse,' and presented it to the museum.
Christo's wrapped doghouse remains a highlight of the collection, along with the 1951 mural Schulz painted for his kids' nursery – featuring Snoopy, Peppermint Patty and Charlie Brown – and comic strips hidden around the museum, including the bathroom stalls.
