Celebrate Black History Month with Stories, Programs at Hall of Fame

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 30, 2026

--  Virtual Programs, Return of Jackie Robinson’s Original Hall of Fame Plaque Highlight Exploration of Black Baseball Experience -- (COOPERSTOWN, NY) – When Jackie Robinson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962, his plaque – by his request – made no mention of his role as a pioneer in the game’s path to inclusivity.   History was rewritten in 2008 when Robinson’s Hall of Fame plaque was recast. But that original plaque is now on exhibit in Cooperstown to help tell the story of the Black baseball experience.   As the nation celebrates Black History Month in February, the National Baseball Hall of Fame will pay tribute to the contributions of Black Baseball pioneers, heroes and legends with programming in Cooperstown and online while hosting local and regional students. Museum visitors can also see Robinson’s original Hall of Fame plaque, which recently returned from loan to the Jackie Robinson Museum and is now displayed in the Hall of Fame’s The Souls of the Game exhibit.   Also new to Robinson’s display in The Souls of the Game is his 1946 International League batting champion trophy. He hit .349 that year, his only season in the Dodgers farm system before his historic debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers in April 1947.   Programs and activities during Black History Month are part of the Hall of Fame’s continuing Black Baseball Initiative.   Fans can learn about Black baseball history through free virtual programs hosted by the Museum’s team of educators as well as onsite programs included with Museum admission. Upcoming events include:   Baseball’s American Voices: Dr. Gerald Early 1 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4 Join us for a virtual Baseball's American Voices program featuring Dr. Gerald Early, who authored the award-nominated book “Play Harder: The Triumph of Black Baseball in America” in conjunction with the Hall of Fame in 2025. Click here for more information.   Exhibit Encounter: The Souls of the Game 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20 Join a Museum educator as we explore The Souls of the Game: Voices of Black Baseball exhibit in this in-person event at the Museum (Museum admission required).   Virtual Field Trip: Civil Rights 1 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 26 Join us for a virtual program as we explore American history from the Civil War to the Civil Rights movement. Learn how race relations in baseball reflected significant social and cultural developments in the United States. Click here for more information.     As many schools in the northeast pause for Winter Break in February, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum celebrates Jackie Robinson’s heroic journey – along with countless other milestones – in honoring Black History Month. The Museum will host special daily programs for kids of all ages Feb. 14-22 as part of Presidents’ Week. Families can experience unique Museum artifacts and learn about the history of Black Baseball and participate in programming throughout the week in the Museum’s Baseball Discovery Zone.   All events are included with Museum admission.   Several school groups will visit the Museum on field trips throughout February. For more information about school visits to the Museum, click here.   For more information about the Museum’s Black Baseball Initiative, please visit baseballhall.org/BBI.   The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is open seven days a week year round, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. From Labor Day until Memorial Day Weekend, the Museum observes daily regular hours of 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Ticket prices are $30 for adults (13 and over), $24 for seniors (65 and over) and $21 for juniors (ages 7-12) and $20 for those holding current memberships in the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and AMVets organizations. Members are always admitted free of charge and there is no charge for children 6 years of age or younger. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. For more information, visit our website at baseballhall.org or call 888-HALL-OF-FAME (888-425-5633) or 607-547-7200.