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"He was not thinking about his legacy, he was living it."
—JEANNIE SCHULZ
The Charles M. Schulz Museum opens
Charles M. Schulz, creator of the most popular comic strip in history, was Sonoma County's most famous resident during the last half of the 20th century.
The unassuming artist graced the community with his quiet celebrity and the generous gifts his international success made possible.
When Schulz died Feb. 12, 2000, "Peanuts" appeared in 2,600 newspapers, with an estimated 350 million people in 75 countries turning to the comic strip each day to glean a simple joke, a bit of philosophy or a dose of dark humor.
Schulz enjoyed world acclaim and received many accolades including five Emmys, two Peabody awards and his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
A Living, Loving Legacy
Although their creator is gone members of 'Sparky' Schulz's Peanuts gang will live on in a new home befitting some of America's most beloved cultural icons
Imagine how torn Charlie Brown felt as Lucy tempted him to run up and kick that football. A like ambivalence gripped Charles Schulz as he pondered a proposition by three people nearest him.
They wanted to build him a museum.
More by Chris Smith
View museum guide as a .jpg file (210K)
See photos of the new museum in the online photo gallery
A Grand Tour
Museum captures the day-to-day life of Schulz, — and the widespread impact of his life's work
This is the museum that Charles Schulz once had his doubts about, and later hoped he might live to see.
There are two floors, the first featuring the work and far-reaching influence of Sparky Schulz, the second focusing on the man.
More by Chris Smith
Not just 'Peanuts'
New museum's lure could push Sonoma County tourism over the $1 billion mark
Santa Rosa will become a mecca for "Peanuts"' fans around the world when the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center opens Saturday as the permanent home of Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the gang.
Projections are that nearly 200,000 people a year will visit the museum, doing for Santa Rosa what Copia -- The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts, is doing for tourism in downtown Napa.
More by Tim Tesconi
The faces of 'Sparky'
In early June a group of people who had known cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, many of them for many years, gathered to sit in a circle and tell their favorite "Sparky stories."
Sitting quietly in a corner, taking notes, was Melissa McGann, archivist for the new Schulz Museum, ready to pass the Schulz wit and wisdom on to the docents who will guide visitors through the new facility.
Taken as a body, these stories present a well-defined portrait of the cartoonist/philosopher his friends regarded as a genius. Taken individually, the stories will likely puzzle the docent who never met him, because there were so many different Sparkys behind the face that kept to a familiar, untroubled expression.
More by Gaye LeBaron
Making the museum sparkle
Director of Schulz Museum works overtime to open on time, interpret well-loved cartoonist for people from around the world
World-renowned cartoonists influenced by the work of Charles Schulz are on the VIP guest list for this week's opening of the Santa Rosa museum dedicated to the "Peanuts" creator.
"Dilbert" creator Scott Adams, Patrick McDonald of "Mutts" and "Luann's" Gregg Evans are among those expected at Thursday's media preview.
But it's the onslaught of fans, regular paycheck folks whose lives are ruled by their passion for "Peanuts," that truly propels Schulz Museum Director Ruth Gardner Begell to meet deadline, with a members-only reception Friday and the public opening Saturday.
More by Meg McConanhey
Charles Schulz story archive
4/24/00: Carrying on "Peanuts" legacy
4/14/00: Schulz cost cuts trim 4 jobs at ice rink
4/09/00: The music of "Peanuts" and true love
4/08/00: 74 Senators back medal for Schulz
3/29/00: County chips in for "Peanuts" statue
3/25/00: Baseball hall of fame honors Schulz
3/22/00: Airport named after Schulz
3/10/00: Thanks from the Schulz family
3/02/00: "Peanuts" empire future uncertain
2/27/00: Father's idea
2/24/00: Cohn: the day Sparky interviewed the columnist
2/18/00: Rainy day forecast for Schulz memorial
2/17/00: Schulz memorial: Room for thousands
2/16/00: SR, House back honors for Charles Schulz
2/15/00: Public service for Schulz next week at Burbank Center
2/14/00: LeBaron: Sparky a treasure for us -- and the world
2/14/00: Fellow cartoonist who worshipped Schulz
2/14/00: Fans and friends remember Schulz's greatness
2/14/00: World mourns Charles Schulz
2/13/00: Charles Schulz dies
12/16/99: Clinton wishes Schulz well, sends thanks
12/15/99: Goodbye, Charlie Brown: Cancer fight forces abrupt end to 50-year-old comic strip
12/15/99: 'Peanuts' a business success, too
12/15/99: Cartoonists herald Schulz as pioneer
12/15/99: Charlie Brown shared pain of being a kid
12/15/99: LeBaron: Relax, nobody's leaving town
12/15/99: Coursey: Comics will never be the same
12/03/99: Schulz makes encore appearance at arena
12/01/99: Schulz home after 2 weeks in hospital
11/29/99: Schulz to leave hospital this week
11/24/99: Big gap to fill rinkside
11/23/99: Syndicate set to rerun 'Peanuts'
11/23/99: Editorial: Eyes on SR Memorial
11/22/99: Outpouring of concern for Schulz
11/21/99: Schulz faces battle with colon cancer
11/20/99: Schulz out of intensive care unit
11/19/99: Wife says Schulz doing well
11/18/99: Schulz recovering from surgery
11/17/99: Emergency surgery for Schulz
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