2021-12-08 00:37:34
MUSEUMS THAT CELEBRATE PENNSYLVANIA’S SPORTS HISTORY Pennsylvania is a sports lover’s destination, and its history runs deep—home to sports stars and the creation of Little League baseball. Get in the game at sites honoring Pennsylvania sports legends, starting with the Clemente Museum in Pittsburgh. Roberto Clemente was a baseball right fielder and powerhouse batter who, as a Puerto Rican drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1954, became an inspiration to fans and followers both on and off the field. At the museum, housed in a renovated firehouse, you’ll learn about Clemente’s early years, through his career-spanning tenure with the Pirates. You’ll also learn stories of his humanitarian work, receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom (posthumously), and creation of Major League Baseball’s Roberto Clemente Award, bestowed annually to outstanding players helping others in the community. Little-known fact: The Little League was founded in Williamsport, home to the World of Little League Museum. Though kids had long played baseball, the sport wasn’t formalized until 1938 when local resident Carl Stotz reached out to community members to purchase uniforms and equipment for young players. Now a worldwide phenomenon, you can visit the museum honoring this iconic sport that teaches kids from around the world teamwork and sportsmanship. At Foxburg Country Club, one of the oldest golf courses in continuous use in the nation, you’ll find the American Golf Hall of Fame. Here, explore arcane artifacts including an early golf ball made from feathers (!), along with vintage hickory stick clubs and an exhibition on women’s contributions to the sport. Discover the sports stories of Pittsburgh’s past at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, located inside the Heinz History Center. Interactive exhibits, memorabilia, and a big-screen experience offer insights into the state’s greats, from the marquee stars of the Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins to the lesser-known stories of the Negro Baseball League and auto racing. Interested in learning more about only-in-Pennsylvania sports history? The Pennsylvania SnowSports Museum & Hall of Fame should be on your to-visit list. Wintertime in Pennsylvania’s dramatic backcountry offers spectacular scenery and opportunities to ski the slopes, and at this museum, spread across two destinations (Liberty Mountain Resort and Seven Springs Mountain), you’ll find artifacts and photos that tell the stories of Pennsylvania’s winter sports past.
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