Negro Southern League Museum: Difference between revisions
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The '''Negro and Southern Leagues Hall of Fame''' is a proposed educational museum and hall of fame honoring the Negro Leagues of professional baseball, of which the [[Birmingham Black Barons]] were a part, and the [[Southern League]], which included the [[Birmingham Barons]] for most of the team's history. | The '''Negro and Southern Leagues Hall of Fame''' is a proposed educational museum and hall of fame honoring the Negro Leagues of professional baseball, of which the [[Birmingham Black Barons]] were a part, and the [[Southern League]], which included the [[Birmingham Barons]] for most of the team's history. | ||
The idea of building a Negro Leagues museum in [[Birmingham]] was proposed independently by the [[American Negro League Baseball Association]], which secured a contract on the [[Booker T. Washington Building]] at [[17th Street North|17th Street]] and [[3rd Avenue North]] and the [[Alabama Negro League Association]], which secured | The idea of building a Negro Leagues museum in [[Birmingham]] was proposed independently by the [[American Negro League Baseball Association]], which secured a contract on the [[Booker T. Washington Building]] at [[17th Street North|17th Street]] and [[3rd Avenue North]] and the [[Alabama Negro League Association]], which secured the $4 million collection of memorabilia owned by Layton Revel of Dallas, Texas. Revel plans to move his [[Center for Negro League Baseball Research]] to the new facility. | ||
In May [[2008]], both groups agreed to combine their efforts and work with a city-authorized board to develop the museum. In April [[2009]] Mayor [[Larry Langford]] unveiled a proposal to build a museum encompassing all of Birmingham's baseball history adjacent to historic [[Rickwood Field]] in [[West End]]. Further restoration of the baseball park | In May [[2008]], both groups agreed to combine their efforts and work with a city-authorized board to develop the museum. In April [[2009]] Mayor [[Larry Langford]] unveiled a proposal to build a museum encompassing all of Birmingham's baseball history adjacent to historic [[Rickwood Field]] in [[West End]]. Further restoration of the baseball park is included in the $7.5 million proposal. | ||
The City Council passed a resolution supporting the project, and promised to find funding for it in the 2010 city budget. Under pressure from the Mayor, the Council approved a motion to fund the project with unspent capital funds at their [[May 5]] meeting. On [[July 14]] the Council approved a $310,000 contract with [[Exford Architects]] to complete design and construction documents. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held on [[August 12]] with hopes that construction could be completed in time for the park's centennial in the summer of [[2010]]. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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* Bryant, Joseph D. (May 5, 2009) "Birmingham City Council OKs $7.5 million for museum, Rickwood Field improvements." ''Birmingham News'' | * Bryant, Joseph D. (May 5, 2009) "Birmingham City Council OKs $7.5 million for museum, Rickwood Field improvements." ''Birmingham News'' | ||
* Spencer, Thomas (July 14, 2009) "Birmingham City Council gives OK on Rickwood Field work." ''Birmingham News'' | * Spencer, Thomas (July 14, 2009) "Birmingham City Council gives OK on Rickwood Field work." ''Birmingham News'' | ||
* Bryant, Joseph D. (August 14, 2009) "Ceremonial beginning for Rickwood Field renovations." ''Birmingham News'' | |||
[[Category:Proposed developments]] | [[Category:Proposed developments]] | ||
[[Category:2010 buildings]] | |||
[[Category:Museums]] | [[Category:Museums]] | ||
[[Category:Rickwood Field]] | [[Category:Rickwood Field]] | ||
Revision as of 08:42, 15 August 2009
The Negro and Southern Leagues Hall of Fame is a proposed educational museum and hall of fame honoring the Negro Leagues of professional baseball, of which the Birmingham Black Barons were a part, and the Southern League, which included the Birmingham Barons for most of the team's history.
The idea of building a Negro Leagues museum in Birmingham was proposed independently by the American Negro League Baseball Association, which secured a contract on the Booker T. Washington Building at 17th Street and 3rd Avenue North and the Alabama Negro League Association, which secured the $4 million collection of memorabilia owned by Layton Revel of Dallas, Texas. Revel plans to move his Center for Negro League Baseball Research to the new facility.
In May 2008, both groups agreed to combine their efforts and work with a city-authorized board to develop the museum. In April 2009 Mayor Larry Langford unveiled a proposal to build a museum encompassing all of Birmingham's baseball history adjacent to historic Rickwood Field in West End. Further restoration of the baseball park is included in the $7.5 million proposal.
The City Council passed a resolution supporting the project, and promised to find funding for it in the 2010 city budget. Under pressure from the Mayor, the Council approved a motion to fund the project with unspent capital funds at their May 5 meeting. On July 14 the Council approved a $310,000 contract with Exford Architects to complete design and construction documents. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held on August 12 with hopes that construction could be completed in time for the park's centennial in the summer of 2010.
References
- Wolfson, Hannah (December 23, 2007) "Baseball veterans and supporters want to build a Negro Leagues museum in downtown Birmingham." Birmingham News
- Norris, Toraine (April 15, 2008) "Group wants to build museum to honor Negro League veterans from Alabama." Birmingham News
- Oberholzer, Kristin (May 14, 2008) "Groups unite to develop Negro Leagues museum." Birmingham News
- Bryant, Joseph D. (April 2, 2009) "Birmingham considering museum, restoration at Rickwood Field." Birmingham News
- Archibald, John (April 12, 2009) "John Archibald: Behind gunk, a diamond of an idea." Birmingham News
- Bryant, Joseph D. (May 5, 2009) "Birmingham City Council OKs $7.5 million for museum, Rickwood Field improvements." Birmingham News
- Spencer, Thomas (July 14, 2009) "Birmingham City Council gives OK on Rickwood Field work." Birmingham News
- Bryant, Joseph D. (August 14, 2009) "Ceremonial beginning for Rickwood Field renovations." Birmingham News