In celebration of Apple’s 50th anniversary, Mimms Museum of Technology and Art (Mimms Museum) will debut iNSPIRE: 50 Years of Innovation from Apple on Wednesday, April 1. This first-of-its-kind exhibition will showcase more than 2,000 artifacts across 20,000 square feet, making it the largest public display of Apple products in the world.

Ahead of the public opening, the museum hosted an exclusive preview weekend featuring five of Apple’s earliest employees, offering an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the origins of one of the most influential companies in modern history.

The preview included a Legacy Dinner, where early Apple employees, Chris Espinosa, Daniel Kottke, George Crow, Randy Wigginton and Taylor Pohlman, joined museum leadership for an intimate first look at the exhibition. Guests revisited the early days of Apple, sharing personal stories while viewing original artifacts such as handwritten manuals, Apple II computers and rare prototypes. The evening concluded with a panel discussion exploring their experiences and the foundation of Apple’s innovations. “Apple has fundamentally shaped how we experience technology in our daily lives,” says Lonnie Mimms, founder and CEO of Mimms Museum. “Sharing this exhibition with some of the original minds behind these innovations, and seeing their reactions to the artifacts on display, was an incredibly meaningful way to introduce this new permanent exhibition.”

On Saturday, March 21, Mimms Museum also hosted its annual fundraiser, BYTE26, welcoming a sold-out crowd for an exclusive preview of the exhibit ahead of its official opening. The event and contributions for iNSPIRE together raised more than $250,000 to support the new exhibition and the museum’s educational programming.

Opening April 1, iNSPIRE: 50 Years of Innovation from Apple will offer visitors a unique look into one of the most influential brands in modern history, highlighting early computers, rare prototypes, original documentation and immersive installations inspired by Apple’s most iconic products and campaigns, creating a multigenerational experience that explores the evolution of technology and its impact on society.

“Our hope is this exhibit will inspire future innovators to think creatively, pursue their passions and imagine what’s possible,” said Rena Youngblood, executive director of Mimms Museum.