Highlights Archives
Society Acquires Track Champion's Racing Spikes
Last summer the Wisconsin Historical Society approached champion runner Suzy Favor Hamilton to ask her for a story of a favorite childhood toy. She obliged, and her story became part of the exhibition Toy Stories, which remains on display at the Wisconsin Historical Museum through May 26, 2007. While corresponding with Hamilton, museum staff inquired about the possibility of her donating an artifact that represents her achievements in sports. She was generous enough to offer the pair of racing spikes she wore during the year 2000 — perhaps her most notable season.
Suzy Favor Hamilton's donation is one of a number of sports-related accessions that the Wisconsin Historical Museum has accepted in recent months. In 2005 the museum acquired a jersey worn by Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre. Last year the museum accessioned a racing skin worn by speed skater Casey FitzRandolph and a jersey worn by Milwaukee Braves first baseman Joe Adcock. This year the museum has been gathering other Braves memorabilia and Milwaukee Brewers artifacts that will go on display this summer in the exhibit, World Series Wisconsin.
The museum continues to seek authentic, game-used and competition-used uniforms and equipment, plus trophies and awards that document significant individual and team accomplishments in college and professional sports by Wisconsin athletes. Preference is given to rare or one-of-a-kind items directly associated with history-making championship victories, record-breaking achievements, and the state's most notable sports figures. The museum adds such items to its permanent collections to preserve for future generations and to be accessible for exhibition, educational programming and research.
The Wisconsin Historical Society considers sports history an important part of the state's heritage. Next month hockey player and coach Mark Johnson will be the recipient of the Society's Vince Lombardi Award for Distinction in Sports at the Wisconsin History Makers Gala.
:: Posted April 20, 2007
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