Museum Facts

The Hall of Fame Gallery serves as the centerpiece of the historic institution, where the plaques of all 340 Hall of Fame members line the oak walls. Only 240 former major leaguers - one percent of those to have played baseball in the major leagues - have earned a spot in the Hall of Fame. The 2023 inductees – Fred McGriff and Scott Rolen – will each have a plaque added to the Gallery during Hall of Fame Weekend.

The Museum Store resides on the first floor. Visit the Store for unique gifts, keepsakes and clothing apparel for the baseball fans in your life. While there, sign up at one of the Museum kiosks to receive a merchandise catalog; Inside Pitch, the Hall of Fame’s free weekly e-mail newsletter; and a trial subscription of Memories and Dreams, the Hall of Fame’s bi-monthly magazine.

The Museum Bookstore, located in the Library Atrium, carries a wide variety of books and videos on a variety of baseball subjects, available for purchase. For the numerous book signings that take place in the Library Atrium year-round, books are available for purchase from this location.

The Hall of Fame Library, which houses in excess of three million documents, including a file on every player to appear in a major league game, 250,000 photographs and 14,000 hours of recorded film, video and sound. A public research area is a great place to spend the afternoon, for those wishing to delve deeper into Baseball’s history. The Library also includes exhibits, such as Scribes and Mikemen and Baseball at the Movies, the Sandlot Kids’ Clubhouse, and the Bullpen Theater.

The Research Center is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., with the exception of holidays, the winter months and special events. Appointments are encouraged. To schedule an appointment, or for more information, please call 607-547-0330 or write to research@baseballhall.org.

A Three-Year, $20-Million Renovation of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum was formally completed with a rededication ceremony on July 29, 2005. Thirty-eight Hall of Fame members were present to cut the ribbon. The project marked the Museum’s seventh building renovation effort since the opening of its doors for the first time on June 12, 1939. Previous projects in 1950, 1958, 1968, 1980, 1989 and 1994 added exhibit space, the Hall of Fame Gallery, the Hall of Fame Library and the Museum Store, and connected them all. The most recent renovation offers visitors: a completely new look and feel; 14 exhibit and program spaces; 10,000 additional square feet of exhibit space; more accessibility for those with special needs; more interactive technology; a more consistent environment for the collections; and a seamless traffic pattern for visitors to enjoy. Museum floorplans are available here.

Baseball at the Movies

Baseball at the Movies explores the long-standing relationship between baseball and the movies. Scribes and Mikemen honors the greatest journalists to broadcast and write about the National Pastime, housing the award winners for the Ford C. Frick Award, given annually for broadcasting excellence, and the J.G. Taylor Spink Award, presented annually for meritorious contributions to baseball writing.

Sacred Ground

Sacred Ground: welcomes visitors to the third floor of the Museum, examining ballparks of the past and present through more than 200 artifacts and numerous displays in 1,800 square feet of exhibit space. Among the most notable artifacts in the exhibit: a scoreboard “pinwheel” from Comiskey Park; a ticket booth from Yankee Stadium; a turnstile from the Polo Grounds; a cornerstone from Ebbets Field; Walter Johnson’s locker from Griffith Stadium; and the on-deck circle from Forbes Field. The exhibit also includes a special interactive section dedicated to music at the ballpark, where visitors can hear the distinctive sounds from various ballparks and learn the history of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” A computer interactive guides visitors on a “walk-through” of Boston’s South End Grounds Grand Pavilion, in existence from 1888-1894) via a 14’ x 8’ curved screen.

Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream

Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream is an exhibit that chronicles Aaron’s life, from childhood through his big league career and post-baseball career, including his vast philanthropic efforts; as well as features artifacts from several of the unique achievements in baseball history.

Autumn Glory

Autumn Glory: 100 Years of the Postseason spotlights moments from every memorable World Series. Artifacts range from the baseball used for the final out of the inaugural Fall Classic’s in 1903 to the bats used by Bill Mazeroski and Joe Carter to hit dramatic home runs, to artifacts from the most recent World Series Champions.

One for the Books

One for the Books features 1,537 square feet of exhibit space includes sections focusing on batting, pitching, fielding, base running and team records. In addition to the artifacts, the exhibit includes in-case motion picture presentations, interactive trivia stations and the Digital Top 10 Tower.

Membership is an integral part of the Hall of Fame and those enrolled in the membership program enjoy many benefits while assisting us in furthering our mission. There are membership levels for children, families and adults. Members receive complimentary admission to the Hall of Fame and Museum, a personalized membership card, a subscription to Memories and Dreams, the Hall of Fame’s bi-monthly magazine, free domestic shipping and 10% discount on purchases from the Museum Store in Cooperstown and at shop.baseballhall.org, and exclusive member-only events throughout the year and more.

Inside Pitch delivers a free weekly newsletter via e-mail to baseball fans at work or home throughout the year, to keep you connected to Cooperstown. Featuring a weekly history lesson, Inside Pitch brings home baseball anniversaries, important news from the Museum and exclusive gift opportunities.

In 2007, an estimated 82,000 fans packed Cooperstown, honoring the Hall of Fame induction of Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn and setting a Hall of Fame Weekend attendance record…Following 2007, the next largest estimated crowds for Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies: 55,000 (2019); 53,000 (2018); 50,000 (1999); 50,000 2016; 48,000 (2014); 45,000 (2015); 40,000 (1995); 35,000 (2022); 27,500 (2017); 27,000 (2001 and 2005); and 25,000 (2000).