Should the Smithsonian have an American Sports Museum

by ADLC on Nov 13, 2010 5:00 AM EST

Figured this group would like to weigh in. After the Administration announced that they were considering charging for admission to the Smithsonian I got into a conversation about what we would like to see added if we had to pay, and the one theme that kept coming up was sports. Many countries have a cabinet level sports agency, while we dont have anything quite so formal. Each sport (and in some cases league) has their own hall of fame, but couldnt you see each of them donating a bit (or lending) to a national museum of sports. Would you consider it an enjoyable afternoon if you could see a big of the history of most of the major leagues and independent sports through our history?

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I sort of think that it would take away from the current sports halls of fame.

There would definitely be some tension over where historcial memorabillia should go. And unlike the other aspects of The Smithsonian, which represent mainly not for profit interests (No one directly makes money off history.), sports make a lot of money and ought to be able to support their own “museums” in the hall of fames.

by tarlinian on Nov 13, 2010 5:05 AM EST reply actions

see.. I think thats the point

It would be great too have an impartial (as it can be) museum that tracks the history of sport in the country.

The point is the Halls of Fame are spread out all over and a national gallery that includes each of them would be in the national interest, as least as much as the National Postal Museum or the Arts and Industry Building. Think about it this way, each HoF could lend out a piece of their collection for a couple months at a time to a dedicated section of the museum, along with some permanent displays. Imagine a museum with memorabilia from Tiger Woods, Pete Sampras , Babe Ruth, Richard Petty and Wilt Chamberlain all within a couple hundred feet of each other. A display dedicated to Jesse Owens, Jack Johnson or Jim Thorpe. A wing dedicated to amateur, college and HS sports. Maybe an Army-Navy rivalry display?

Sports has played a major part of American society over the last 100+ years, definitely more then modern art. Athletes like Owens, Aaron, Tommie Smith and Ali were part of a national conversation about race, and if you ever spent time in West Texas, Harlem or South Florida you would understand the importance of HS sports in this country.

by ADLC on Nov 13, 2010 5:37 AM EST up reply actions

This is a good point

each HoF could lend out a piece of their collection for a couple months at a time to a dedicated section of the museum

And such lending is common practice among museums.

I think it’s a fine idea personally.

http://www.crawfishboxes.com

by OremLK on Nov 13, 2010 1:35 PM EST up reply actions

"We have gotten to the point where not only big market clubs are going over slot, but small market clubs are going over slot, and they see it as a competitive advantage. I don’t think we can be left behind in that regard. I think that we've got to be open minded about it, and we intend to be." - Sandy Alderson

by Russ on Nov 13, 2010 8:36 AM EST reply actions