Baseball Hall of Fame Celebrates Black Baseball History Month
From the offices of The Baseball Hall of Fame/Cooperstown
COOPERSTOWN, NY – Students of all ages can learn about Black baseball pioneers and their connection to the National Pastime via a new tour that celebrates Black baseball history debuting during February Break Week, Feb. 20-24, at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown.
As the nation celebrates Black History Month, the Museum unveils a self-guided tour that highlights artifacts in the Hall of Fame that are significant to Black baseball history.
Ranging from the Ideals and Injustices exhibit to the game’s current stars in Your Team Today, the tour takes guests on a trip through time and highlights the role baseball has long played in the history of Civil Rights in America.
The new tour is just a part of the Hall of Fame’s continuing commitment to celebrate and honor Black baseball as part of a new initiative that includes a lineup of educational outreach programs and a groundbreaking museum exhibit which will open in April 2024.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum chronicles the pioneering and historic efforts of African Americans in baseball every day via exhibits, online resources and educational programing. Visitors to the Museum in Cooperstown will discover Ideals and Injustices, the second-floor exhibit which opened in 1997 and features artifacts ranging from Negro League equipment to uniforms worn by some of the game’s greatest stars.
Fans can also experience Black history through virtual programs hosted by the Museum’s team of educators. Upcoming events include:
Virtual Voices of the Game: History of the Negro Leagues
2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 23
Live from the Hall of Fame Bullpen Theater, this special program will highlight the efforts of Negro Leagues founder Rube Foster. Learn about some of the greatest players of Black baseball and find out more about the Hall of Famers who started their careers in the Negro Leagues before becoming household names. To watch virtually, go to the Hall of Fame’s Facebook page.
As many schools in the northeast pause for Winter Break in February, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum celebrates Jackie Robinson’s heroic journey – along with countless other milestones – in honoring Black History Month. The Museum will host special daily programs for kids of all ages Feb. 20-24 as part of Presidents’ Week.
Families can experience unique Museum artifacts and learn about the history of Black Baseball and participate in programming throughout the week, including an interactive Pop-Up in the Museum’s Learning Center where guests will explore images, hands-on items from the Hall of Fame’s education collection and select artifacts that relate to Black baseball history, including a Cool Papa Bell glove, a Satchel Paige signed baseball, Buck Leonard’s shoes and a Homestead Grays pennant. All events are included with Museum admission. For a schedule of events, click here.
For resources on the history of Black baseball, please visit baseballhall.org/civilrights.
Throughout the month of February, the Hall of Fame’s social media channels – available on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Facebook @baseballhall – will highlight these important stories of civil rights and baseball.