Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an American history museum and hall of fame. It serves as the sport's most complete library, in addition to promoting and preserving the history of basketball.

Dedicated to Canadian physician and inventor of the sport James Naismith, it was opened and inducted its first class in 1959.

As of the induction of the Class of 2016 on September 9, 2016, the Hall has formally inducted 354 individuals.

The Naismith Hall of Fame was established in 1959 by Lee Williams, a former athletic director at Colby College. In the 1960s, the Basketball Hall of Fame struggled to raise enough money for the construction of its first facility.

However, during the following half-decade the necessary amount was raised, and the building opened on Feb. 17, 1968, less than one month after the National Basketball Association played its 18th All-Star Game. In 2002, the Basketball Hall of Fame moved again - albeit merely 100 yards south along Springfield's riverfront into a $47 million facility designed by renowned architects Gwathmey Siegel & Associates.

In contrast to the Pro Football and the National Baseball Halls of Fame, Springfield honors international and American professionals, as well as American and international amateurs, making it arguably the most comprehensive Hall of Fame among major sports. Since 2011, the induction process employs a total of seven committees to both screen and elect candidates.

Location

1000 Hall of Fame Avenue
Springfield, Hampden County
Massachusetts
USA

Getting There

Here are the directions to the hall of fame by public transportation:

Take the PVTA (Pioneer Valley Transit Authority) bus route B6 or B7 from downtown Springfield or Springfield Station to the intersection of West Columbus Ave and Hall of Fame Ave.

Once you get off the bus, you'll see the Hall of Fame right in front of you.

Note that the PVTA operates seven days a week, but schedules may vary depending on the day of the week. It is recommended to check the PVTA website for the most up-to-date schedules and information.

Nearby Airports

This is a list of primary airports in Massachusetts that have scheduled passenger service on commercial airlines.