National Baseball Hall of Fame

National Baseball Hall Baseball’s Sacred Ground Best Western Inn & Suites Research Center Hall of Fame

On June 12, 1939, an estimated 15,000 New Yorkers flooded Main Street for the grand opening of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Babe Ruth was inducted into the Hall of Fame that same day, as were 25 other players. The National Baseball Hall of Fame has since grown from a modest Hall of Fame room and 1,000 square foot museum to a labyrinth of sophisticated exhibits, a research library, and a large Hall of Fame area.

Exhibits of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Exhibits at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in historic Cooperstown honor everything about the sport, from its earliest days to the present, African American and women’s leagues, and fans. The latest exhibit to be added to the Hall of Fame is the Planet Baseball Exhibit that explores baseball’s international influence. On display are 45 baseball artifacts from 22 countries. Pride and Passion: The African American Baseball Experience is an interactive exhibit that chronicles the history of African Americans in baseball. A storied collection of artifacts, audio and video records, and photos shed light on these pioneer athletes.  [Top]

Baseball’s Sacred Ground. One of the most extensive exhibits at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown is the 1,800–square foot Sacred Ground exhibit that celebrates all things baseball outside of the playesr. The exhibit is divided into six themes: Fans, The Stadium World, Evolution of the Ballpark, Ballpark Business, Ballpark Entertainment, and Reverence. Also on display are famous ballpark icons like the exploding pinwheel scoreboard from the original Comiskey Park, an on–deck circle from Forbes Field, and a vintage ticket booth from Yankee Stadium.  [Top]

National Baseball Hall of Fame Library and Research Center. The National Baseball Hall of Fame Library opened in 1939 alongside the Hall of Fame. The library houses the world’s largest collection of archival material devoted exclusively to baseball. Library visitors will find two interesting exhibits. Scribes and Mikemen is devoted to baseball’s journalists and announcers dating as far back as the 1850s. The exhibit titled Baseball at the Movies features clips from Hollywood movies. In the 56–seat Bullpen Theater, visitors can access baseball highlight films, and footage of historical players and live telecasts.  [Top]

Visiting the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The National Baseball Hall of Fame is located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown. The facility is open daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Tickets are $16.50 for adults, $11.00 for seniors and members of veterans organizations, $6 for children ages seven – 12, and free for children six or younger.  [Top]