Sports Museum of America

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Sports Museum of America
Established May 7, 2008
Location 26 Broadway, Manhattan, New York, USA
Website Sports Museum of America

The Sports Museum of America (SmA) opened May 7, 2008 as the United States' first national sports museum dedicated to the history and cultural significance of sports in America. The museum, which was formerly known by the working name National Sports Museum, will be at 26 Broadway, in Lower Manhattan across from Bowling Green (New York City). The museum contributes to the revitalization of the area following the events of September 11, as it's situated footsteps from the Statue of Liberty Ferry, near Wall Street and the former site of the World Trade Center.

From the idea's inception, in September 2001 following founder Philip Schwalb's visit to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame,[1] the museum was anticipated to celebrate all sports and the Canyon of Heroes, where New York City's famed "ticker tape" parades originated, was an ideal location. However, delays in funding, and construction pushed the museum to the point that some feared it would never be built.[2] A decision was made to be a commercial organization, rather than a non-profit as many museums are, due to a desire to participate in New York's post 9/11 Liberty Bond financing program (available only to for-profit business).[citation needed]Ultimately the museum received support from the requisite government officials, most importantly in the form of Liberty Bonds issued by the City and the State to support projects aiding in the revitalization of Lower Manhattan.[3] The museum was originally scheduled to open prior to the IOC announcing its selection of the host city for the 2012 Olympics, for which New York City was a finalist.[4]

The museum-attraction includes more than 20 original films, nineteen galleries and state-of-the-art interactive technology. The special event space on the second floor of the museum features a mural tribute to all of sports by LeRoy Neiman.[5] The Museum will also be the permanent home of the Heisman Trophy[6][7] and the Women's Sports Foundation International Women's Sports Hall of Fame within the Billie Jean King International Women's Sports Center. [8][9] Like dozens of other sports halls of fame and museums, the National Baseball Hall of Fame has loaned numerous artifacts, and - in addition to all the partner halls of fame, artifacts were also secured via private collectors.[1]


[edit] Partners

In an effort to be truly national in its representation of all sports, the Museum has partnered with more than 60 sporting organizations throughout the United States,[10] and the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto (with 30 of those signed up to participate when the idea for the museum was still just an idea).[11] Exclusive Partners include:

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Richard Sandomir (2008-03-12). Luring Sports Fans of All Seasons to Lower Manhattan. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-03-31.
  2. ^ Dan Barry (2003-12-03). About New York; The House that Ruth Didn't Build. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-03-31.
  3. ^ David W. Dunlap (2004-04-29). At Bowling Green, a Museum for All Sports. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-03-31.
  4. ^ 'Smithsonian of Sports' Planned for N.Y.. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (2003-08-28). Retrieved on 2008-03-31.
  5. ^ The LeRoy Neiman Mural. The New York Times (2008-03-12). Retrieved on 2008-03-31.
  6. ^ a b Craig Miller (2008-03-17). USA Basketball Partners with Sports Museum of America. United States Olympic Committee. Retrieved on 2008-03-31.
  7. ^ Bill Pennington (2005-04-13). Sports Museum and Heisman Find Place in Lower Manhattan. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-03-31.
  8. ^ The Associated Press (2008-03-31). New All-Sports Museum is Opening in NYC this Spring. Staten Island Advance. Retrieved on 2008-03-31.
  9. ^ Michael Kinney (2008-03-24). Baker Joins Elite Company with Activist Efforts. The Norman Transcript. Retrieved on 2008-03-31.
  10. ^ The Associated Press (2008-03-31). New All-sports Museum Opening in NYC. The Mercury-News. Retrieved on 2008-03-31.
  11. ^ Plans Announced for First-Ever National Sports Museum in Lower Manhattan. PR Newswire (2003-08-27). Retrieved on 2008-03-31.
  12. ^ Sports Museum of America Partners with National Soccer Hall of Fame to Create Nation's First All-Sports Museum. Business Wire (2008-03-13). Retrieved on 2008-03-31.
  13. ^ Ballpark Menu: Skewed Gator. San Diego Union-Tribune (2007-06-20). Retrieved on 2008-03-31.

[edit] External links