The White River Valley Museum is partnering with Humanities Washington to bring the Smithsonian to Auburn.
Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America is a dynamic exhibit from the Smithsonian’s Museums on Main Street program. The exhibit highlights national and local sports stories through hands-on discovery, video, audio, photos and memorabilia.
The new exhibit opens Saturday, May 4, with state scholar Eric Davis giving a talk on what sports teaches kids. The free lecture begins at 2 p.m. and seating is first come, first served.
At the exhibit, guests can climb on bleachers and pose with the peanut man, peak though a stereoscope to view America’s great stadiums, and sit back and listen to stories of glory and defeat. Hometown Teams asks visitors why sports are important and why they are ingrained into American society.
Alongside national stories are those that reflect on a rich and diverse history of sports in Auburn:
• The ferocious football rivalry between Auburn High School and Kent-Meridian High School.
• The little known stories of historic Japanese sports teams.
• The amazing Special Olympics champions from Auburn’s Specialized Recreation program.
Hometown Teams is made possible by the Smithsonian, Humanities Washington and Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation.
Special museum events
May 4, 2 p.m. – lecture with state Hometown Teams Scholar Eric Davis. Free
May 19, 2 p.m. – The Good Game: On the Moral Value of Sports, Lecture. Free
June 7-8, 7 p.m.-8 a.m. – Kids Overnight at the Museum – Go Team! $35 per child
June 9, 2 p.m. – Year of the Bull Documentary Screening. Free
June 15-16 – Team Spirit Weekend. Wear your favorite team’s gear for free museum admission all weekend.
About the White River Valley Museum
The White River Valley Museum creates an exciting and educational experience for visitors through a series of award-winning exhibits and programs on regional cultures, arts and history. The museum’s artifact collections focus on Puget Sound history, Northwest Native culture, Japanese immigration and the Northern Pacific Railway.
The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. On the first Thursday of each month the hours are extended from 6 to 8 p.m. It is at 918 H St. SE. Auburn. Regular admission is $5 adults, $2 seniors and children, children 2 years of age or younger are always free. Admission is free for everyone all day on the first Thursday and the third Sunday of every month.
Call 253-288-7433 or visit wrvmuseum.org for event information.
