Major Baseball Exhibit Planned for Washington Beginning in 2022

The U.S. National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C. is planning a major exhibition of historic baseball memorabilia next year.

The exhibit will open in April and coincide with Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier but the entire history of the game will be portrayed through items on loan from private collectors, other Smithsonian museums and the National Baseball Hall of Fame.  Postage stamps issued in the U.S. and around the world will, not surprisingly, also be part of the exhibit.

National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C.

Among the artifacts are game-worn uniforms, jackets, hats, bats and other game-used gear including items once used by Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Robinson, Mickey Mantle, Roberto Clemente and other famous names.

The exhibit will be centered around four themes exploring the history of baseball and its place in the culture including Origins of the Game, Instrument of Diplomacy and War; Agent of Segregation and Integration and Legendary Playing Fields.

MLB, the Baseball Hall of Fame, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the Heritage Auctions are among the partners and sponsors. Lifelong collector Stephen Wong, the author of three baseball books published by the Smithsonian, has lent several historic pieces to the exhibit and is serving as honorary advisor.

Public programs will include lectures, autograph signings and learning labs offered to schools. 

If you can’t get there next year, don’t worry. The Museum plans to keep the display open until late in 2024.  Up to 1.5 million visitors are expected to visit the museum, which is located next to Washington D.C.’s Union Station. 

Interactive activities will also be part of the exhibition and there will be an online component as well.