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.
