Sports are an indelible part of our culture and community. For well over one hundred years sports have reflected the trials and triumphs of the American experience and helped shape our national character.
Whether it’s professional sports, or those played on the collegiate or scholastic level, amateur sports or sports played by kids on the local playground, the plain fact is sports are everywhere in America. Our love of sports begins in our hometowns–on the sandlot, at the local ball field, in the street, even.
Each weekend, hundreds of thousands of Americans participate in some sport, on some level. We win and we lose, and we yearn to play another day. And if we’re not playing, we’re watching: in the stands, on the fields with our sons and daughters, or in our living rooms with friends in front of a television.
Football, baseball, and basketball capture our attention most, but more and more, other non-traditional sports vie for our time and support. On any given weekend in America, sports are a big part of what we do.
Hometown Teams captures the inextricable connection between towns and their teams. The exhibit will showcase the sports, individuals and artifacts that have been an indelible part of every community, for well over one hundred years.
Hometown Teams will be on display at this location July 26 – September 7, 2014.
It will travel to Rock Island on September 13, 2014 next.
This exhibition is free and open to the public.
Fridays: 10 AM – 8 PM
Saturdays: 10 AM – 4 PM
Sundays: 11 AM – 4 PM
Tours: By appointment. Call (618) 939-5008 to schedule.
- Hometown Teams Golf Tournament: Thursday, 7/10/14, 1-6p
- Hometown Teams Horseshoe Tournament: Saturday, 7/12/14, 10a
Exploring Sports History through Music: Sunday, 7/20/14, 5p- Hometown Teams Opening Ceremony: Saturday, 7/26/14, 10a
- Vintage Baseball Team Exhibition: Saturday, 7/26/14, 11:30a
- Exploring Sports History through Music: Tuesday, 7/29/14, 8p
- Hometown Teams Kloepper Tournament: Wednesday, 7/30/14, 6:30p
- Women and Sports Before and After Title IX: Thursday, 8/7/14, 7p
- Back to the Future: Thursday, 8/14/14, 7p
- The History of Huckabay & Baum Brand Baseball Bats: Sunday, 8/17/14, 1:30-2:30p
- Chalk Lines, Blood Lines: Talkin’ Baseball: Thursday, 8/21/14, 17p
For more information, contact the Waterloo Museum Society at (618) 939-5008 or visit the Monroe County History Museum website.
Visit the official Hometown Teams site for more information on the exhibit.
Photo Credits/Sources:
Black and White photos from life.time.com/sports-culture/
Color photo from Smithsonian