Smithsonian Instutution Latinos and Baseball Collection Event at the Baseball Heritage Museum

Cleveland, OH, June 26, 2017 --(PR.com)-- The Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History has launched a multiyear collecting initiative, "Latinos and Baseball: In the Barrios and the Big Leagues" to identify artifacts that reflect the social and cultural influence of the game on Latino communities, and the Baseball Heritage Museum at League Park, 6601 Lexington Ave, is the site for the only Ohio collecting event. On Saturday, July 22 from 10am to 2pm Smithsonian curators will be at the Museum to consider artifacts for possible inclusion in future exhibits. The public is invited to bring items such as baseball equipment, stadium signs, game memorabilia, uniform jerseys, tickets as well as food vendor sign, home movies and period photographs relating to Latino baseball across the U.S and in Puerto Rico. Curators will select objects based on the stories they represent, and will also be documenting personal narratives and oral histories. “Baseball has played a major role in everyday American life since the 1800’s, providing a means of celebrating both national and ethnic identities and building communities,” says John Gray, director of the Smithsonian. Through the lens of baseball, the Smithsonian seeks to illuminate the rich history and culture of Latinos and their impact on American culture and society.”