Georgia Sports Hall of Fame facts for kids
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Front of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame at the International Cherry Blossom Festival
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| Established | 1999 |
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| Location | 301 Cherry Street Macon, Georgia |
| Type | Sports history |
The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame is a special place in Macon, Georgia. It celebrates amazing athletes and coaches from Georgia. This Hall of Fame is the biggest state sports hall of fame in the United States. It covers a huge area of about 43,000 square feet!
Contents
What You Can See: Exciting Exhibits
The Hall of Fame has over 14,000 square feet of cool exhibits. These exhibits are split into different areas. You can learn about Hall of Fame members, high school sports, and college sports. There are also sections for the Olympics, Paralympic Games, and professional sports. You can even explore "Great Moments in Georgia Sports History."
You'll find lots of fun things to do there! There are interactive games like NASCAR racing simulators. You can also play basketball and football games. Plus, there are computer programs to explore.
How It Started: A Look at History
The idea for the Hall of Fame began in 1956. It was first called the Georgia Prep Sports Hall of Fame. "Prep" means high school sports. In 1963, it grew to include college, amateur, and professional sports.
The Georgia State Legislature officially created the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1978. Then, in 1994, the state of Georgia gave $6.5 million to build a museum. They added another $1.8 million in 1996. The total cost to build the museum and its exhibits was $8.3 million.
The museum opened its doors in 1999. More than 65,000 people visited in its first year! The state of Georgia helps pay for the museum's yearly costs. Local groups also help out. The Hall of Fame also raises money by renting out spaces. They also hold a 5k walk and sell tables at their induction ceremony.
The Building: A Sports Fan's Dream
The building itself looks like an old-fashioned baseball park. It has a red-brick outside and a green roof. Everything from the old-style ticket booths to the brick columns inside makes you feel like you're at a big sports event.
There are over 1,000 items on display in the museum. The Hall of Fame has more than 7,000 objects in its collection. Besides the exhibits, the building also has a 1,500 square foot "Georgia Room." This room is used for events and parties. There's also a gift shop, a theater with 205 seats, and a research center.
Who Gets In: Honoring Athletes
More than 300 people have been chosen for the Hall of Fame. These are athletes, coaches, and others who have made a big impact on sports in Georgia.
In 2009, some of the people inducted were Hugh Durham, Terry Hoage, and Andy Landers. Also, Mills Lane, Jeff Malone, George Rose, Shannon Sharpe, and Roman Turmon joined the Hall of Fame.
Plan Your Visit: Events and Rentals
The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame offers many programs, especially for young people. You can even have a birthday party there! Party packages can include museum admission and use of a special room.
The Hall of Fame also rents out different spaces for events. These include a Conference Room, the Georgia Room, the Rotunda, and the Theater.
See also
- Ivan Allen Jr. Braves Museum and Hall of Fame
- Ty Cobb Museum
