The limited-time pop-up exhibit, located within The Dayton’s Project building, is free to the public
From World Series and WNBA Championships to Olympic gold medals and Big Ten titles, and from legends like Herb Brooks and Patty Berg to today’s stars like Suni Lee and Anthony Edwards, the state of Minnesota is blessed with a rich sports legacy. Starting Friday, November 29 (Black Friday), visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about Minnesota’s history on the field, diamond, court, ice and beyond as the Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame Experience opens to the public in downtown Minneapolis.
Held alongside The Dayton’s Holiday Market, the pop-up exhibit will be open through December 28, on the lower level of The Dayton’s Project building, 700 Nicollet Mall. The temporary installation highlighting Minnesota’s sports history will be open Mondays-Saturdays 10am to 6pm, and Sundays from 11am to 5pm. During Holidazzle on December 18-21, the exhibit will be open from 9am to 6pm. Admission is free.
“The Minnesota Star Tribune is honored to bring our longstanding Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame to life in this historic location in the heart of downtown Minneapolis,” said Steve Grove, Publisher and CEO. “We’re tremendously grateful to our partners at Meet Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Foundation for their collaboration in building this unique experience for all of Minnesota.”
The Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame Experience will recognize the many individuals, teams and key moments that have contributed to our state’s sports legacy. Featuring a pictorial history of Minnesota sports from award-winning Minnesota Star Tribune photographers, visitors will be able to walk through six distinct eras of the state’s athletic past and present:
- Early Milestones: Native Americans and the “Creator’s Game” along with a collection of “firsts”
- The Biggest Game in Town: University of Minnesota football takes center stage
- Gold Medal State: Minnesota athletes’ Olympic success through the years
- The Metrodome: The multi-purpose stadium that hosted the United States’ biggest sporting events
- The Rise of Women’s Sports: Minnesota’s outsized influence on girls’ and women’s athletics
- A Major League Era: The state’s shift to a pro sports mecca
In addition, the Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame Experience includes images and artifacts from legendary Star Tribune sports columnist Sid Hartman’s office, an artistic presentation of Minnesota sports jerseys, and a display honoring the members of the Star Tribune Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame.
The Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame Experience is a joint venture from the Minnesota Star Tribune, the Minneapolis Foundation, Meet Minneapolis, the Hennepin History Museum and Mich’s Markets. Many of the state’s professional and collegiate sports organizations are partnering with the exhibit, including the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, Minnesota Wild, Minnesota United FC, Minnesota Aurora FC, Minnesota Frost, Minnesota Vixen, and University of Minnesota.
“Sports bring people together, especially when we combine iconic athletes and an iconic building,” said R.T. Rybak, President and CEO of the Minneapolis Foundation. “Our hope is that we can start a new tradition and expand from a pop-up to a larger and more permanent Minneapolis exhibit in future years.”
“Whether you are a casual or die-hard sports fan, the Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame Experience adds to a long list of must-see holiday offerings in Minneapolis this season,” said Melvin Tennant, President and CEO of Meet Minneapolis. “Having this limited-time exhibit steps from the Dayton’s Holiday Market – along with our theaters, restaurants, breweries, and more – gives visitors and residents another unique, engaging reason to explore downtown.”
