Less than three weeks ago, the 49ers broke ground on the new Santa Clara Stadium. As part of that great celebration, players, fans and alumni gathered to honor the legacy of the franchise. Soon fans will be able to share in that legacy on a daily basis.
Today, the team announced a physical and permanent home for the Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. 49ers Hall of Fame with approximately 15,000 square feet of space earmarked at the new stadium, scheduled to open in 2014.
"Just as with all other facets of the new Santa Clara Stadium, our Hall of Fame will be state-of-the-art in every way," says Keena Turner, 49ers Vice President for Football Affairs and member of the team's Hall of Fame Planning Committee. "It will be the perfect place to honor our Hall of Fame 49ers and share the history and winning tradition of this famed NFL franchise."
"The Hall will include multiple interactive exhibits," adds Ali Towle, the team's Director of Marketing and fellow Planning Committee member. "It will be a special place of inspiration and education and available year-round to fans of all ages."
Cambridge Seven Associates (C7A) of Cambridge, Massachusetts has been chosen as lead exhibit design firm for the project. C7A brings talent and experience from a wealth of award winning projects, including museums and public places from all over the world. C7A's varied and lengthy credits include recent projects: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in Calgary Ontario, The Hall at Patriot Place for the New England Patriots in Foxboro, Massachusetts, The National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, and The Little League International Museum in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Jerry Walker, the 49ers former Public Relations Director (1981-93), has returned to the club as Team Archivist and will head up the acquisition of key artifacts to be displayed in the space.
"The Hall will take advantage of the latest technology and feature all the quintessential components needed to tell the story of the San Francisco 49ers," says Towle. "But, we also need to 'un-earth' and acquire the right artifacts to help take visitors back in time."
The team is looking for donations and loans of nearly anything vintage such as game and practice apparel, fan clothing, printed materials like posters, programs, and magazines, collectibles, memorabilia, souvenirs, photos and videos, etc.
"The proper artifacts can put our exhibits over the top, and maybe even offer up a behind the scenes feel as we guide visitors through our rich history," says Walker. "So, if anyone out there—fans, collectors, historians—has an item of significance (or knows of someone else that does), I'd love to hear from them."
For more information, contact:
Jerry Walker, team archivist: Jerry.Walker@niners.nfl.net
