Sports: Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers at the National Constitution Center

The Exhibition

The exhibition is divided into six main sections: Firsts, Olympians, Game Makers, More than Champions, Barrier Removers and Superstars. Spotlighting the Smithsonian's sports collection, the exhibition opens with Abraham Lincoln's handball and closes with Michael Jordan's basketball jersey. Gertrude Ederle's English Channel swim goggles, Roberto Clemente's batting helmet, Lance Armstrong's yellow jersey and a "Miracle on Ice" hockey shirt from the 1980 Olympics are among the dozens of artifacts.

Sports: Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers also features a short video that further explores the athletes featured in the section "More than Sports Champions." Produced and donated by The History Channel, the video is narrated by basketball legend Bill Russell. It looks at the athletes, such as Billie Jean King, Roberto Clemente and Muhammad Ali, who take their roles as public figures seriously and move beyond being sports champions to become champions for a cause.

Local Legends

To add some Philadelphia flavor, the National Constitution Center is supplementing the exhibit with a tribute to local sports heroes and record breakers, Local Legends. This special section will include a variety of artifacts, images, and memorabilia from some of the biggest names in Philadelphia sports history, including Wilt Chamberlain, Bobby Clarke, Joe Frazier, Tug McGraw, and Vince Papale. Visitors can also explore a display of legendary sports covers from the archives of the Philadelphia Daily News.

While the exhibition is divided into sections based on sport, where would the athletes be without the legendary Places in which they played grueling games and strived to break records? The exhibition begins with a dedication to these memorable venues in Philadelphia sports history, including the Palestra, Veterans Stadium, and Franklin Field. Visitors will have the opportunity to watch a video about the Palestra and walk through a turnstile from the stadium.

The Bottom Line

Philadelphia sports fans receive a lot of bad national press, but few question their dedication and enthusiasm. Fewer still question their ability to recognize and appreciate athletic accomplishments. Sports: Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers is the perfect fit for Philadelphia sports fans. It shows how far we, as a nation, have come not only in breaking records but more importantly by breaking down barriers. What better place for this exhibit than here, in Philadelphia, where the founding fathers broke down one huge barrier and founded a Nation where people are free to pursue their dreams and achieve their goals.

If You Go

Sports: Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers will run through August 20, 2006. The exhibition is free with regular museum admission of $9 for adults and $7 for seniors ages 62 and up, children ages 4-12, and active military personnel. Children ages 3 and under are free. Group rates are also available.

The National Constitution Center is located at 525 Arch Street on Independence Mall in the historic area of Philadelphia.

For ticket information, call (215) 409-6700 or visit www.constitutioncenter.org. Sports: Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers was developed by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES). Audi is the exclusive national sponsor of the exhibition. The National Constitution Center is the sixth stop on the exhibition’s eight-city, two-year national tour, and the final East Coast showing. Following its run at the Center, the exhibition will travel to The Oakland Museum of California.