Activity Overview
The history of the Negro Baseball Leagues is commemorated at this museum in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded by key players such as Buck O' Neil the Museum tells the story of how black men were pushed out of major league teams and how they organized themselves into their own teams and regional leagues. Things continued this way until Jackie Robinson was picked up by the Kansas City Monarchs in a pivotal moment for not only baseball but the far more important civil rights struggle in the U.S. The popularity of the Negro Leagues declined in following years as players left for the major leagues but the memory and importance of these leagues is remembered at the exhibits on display here.
Things to Do
- The permanent exhibit is designed to faithfully resemble the layout of an old-style brick baseball stadium. You walk through the exhibits which lead you chronologically from the origins of the leagues up to their demise.
- As you read you will learn of the hardships which African Americans were faced with and which they overcame to not only create their own successful and high quality leagues but also to finally gain the right to play, and shine, in the major leagues.
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Insider Tips
- While you are visiting the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum you should also consider stopping into the American Jazz Museum which is housed in the same building in the historic 18th and Vine District. This Museum is dedicated to jazz, the most American of musics. It houses exhibits on greats like Charlie Parker and Duke Ellington with plenty of memorabilia to go along with the displays.
- The entire facility, including that of the American Jazz Museum, is fully wheelchair accessible.
- Children under the age of five can enter for free.
