Negro Leagues' Stars Emerge At The Morris Museum

Jackie Robinson broke the color line in baseball - the unwritten rule made in the 1890s barring African Americans from playing in the major leagues - when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Yet until recently, even avid fans of the game knew little or nothing about the Negro leagues, a rich culture of black baseball preceding the Robinson era by more than a half-century.

"The National Pastime in Black and White: The Negro Baseball Leagues, 1867-1955," at the Morris Museum, tells the fascinating story of the Negro baseball leagues during segregation. The exhibition's 60 photographs and selection of rare artifacts acquaint visitors with great athletes who were good enough - but not white enough - to play in the major leagues. The exhibition will run through August 14.

There will be an opening reception on Sunday, July 10, from 1 to 4 pm, which is open to the public. At 3 pm author Neil Lanctot will lead a discussion and sign copies of his book, Negro League Baseball: The Rise and Ruin of a Black Institution

Also on view at the museum is "Game Face: What Does a Female Athlete Look Like?," an exhibition of 139 photographs of women whose lives and identities have been shaped by sports. This exhibition will run through November 6.

The museum, at 6 Normandy Heights Road (at the corner of Columbia Turnpike), is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm, Thursday to 8 pm; and Sunday, 1 to 5 pm. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children, students and senior citizens. Admission is always free for museum members and is free to the public every Thursday between 1 and 8 pm.

For information, 973-971-3700 or morrismuseum.org.