Sports & Leisure

Tennis Racket

The nation's passion for sports is obvious every day—at NASCAR races, kiddie soccer matches, and countless other contests. From a handball used by Abraham Lincoln to Chris Evert's tennis racket to a baseball signed by Jackie Robinson, the roughly 6.000 objects in the Museum's sports collections bear witness to the vital place of sports in the nation's history. Paper sports objects in the collections, such as souvenir programs and baseball cards, number in the hundreds of thousands.

Leisure collections encompass a different range of objects, including camping vehicles and gear, video games, playing cards, sportswear, exercise equipment, and Currier and Ives prints of fishing, hunting, and horseracing. Some 4,000 toys dating from the colonial period to the present are a special strength of the collections.

Date: 1990s

Ticket for volleyball during the1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games

Ticket for volleyball during the1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games.The 1996 Summer Olympic Games, also known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad were held in Atlanta, Georgia with 197 countries, 6,797 men and 3,523 women athletes participating.
Description (Brief)
Ticket for volleyball during the1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games.
The 1996 Summer Olympic Games, also known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad were held in Atlanta, Georgia with 197 countries, 6,797 men and 3,523 women athletes participating. These Games saw the debuts of beach volleyball, mountain biking, softball, and women’s soccer. These Games also saw the American women, who had taken full advantage of Title IX legislation, excel in Olympic competition. The women’s gymnastics, soccer, softball and basketball teams all won gold, propelling the US women athletes into the global spotlight and beginning their dominance in Olympic competition. Atlanta benefitted from the Games as Centennial Olympic Park led to the revitalization of the downtown area and the Olympic Village became residence housing for area universities. These games marked the first time since 1984 that the United States topped the medal count with 101.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1996
ID Number
2018.3010.378
nonaccession number
2018.3010
catalog number
2018.3010.378

Wisconsin Cheesehead Hat

The cheesehead hat is worn by fans of Wisconsin sporting teams.
Description
The cheesehead hat is worn by fans of Wisconsin sporting teams. The term Cheeshead originated as an insult coined by opposing fans from neigbouring Illinois, a term referencing Wisconsin's role as America's Dairy capital.
The moniker was embraced by Wisconsinites, with inventor Ralph Bruno intventing the first foam cheeshead hat in 1987. Official hats, produced by Bruno's Foamation Company, are often worn by spectators attending local games featuring such teams as the Milwaukee Brewers, the University of Wisconsin Badgers, and the Green Bay Packers.
This example was purchased at the University Bookstore in Madison, Wisconsin.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1999
Associated Name
Green Bay Packers
maker
Foamation
ID Number
2000.3010.01
nonaccession number
2000.3010
catalog number
2000.3010.01

Credential card with lanyard used by Special Olympian Marty Sheets

Athlete credential card with lanyard is a white plastic card with "ATH" and a color photograph of Marty Sheets on the front. This was used by Marty at the 1999 Special Olympics World Games.
Description (Brief)
Athlete credential card with lanyard is a white plastic card with "ATH" and a color photograph of Marty Sheets on the front. This was used by Marty at the 1999 Special Olympics World Games. A purple lanyard is attached to the top of the card with purple plastic hooks and has several metal sponsor pins attached to it. This credential card was issued to each athlete and family member to provide access into the Special Olympic World Games and related events.
Marty Sheets was born with Downs Syndrome in 1953 but through Camp Joy, a camp for kids with intellectual disabilities, he found a love of sports. Invited to participate in the first International Special Olympic Games in Chicago in 1968, Marty formed a life long bond with founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Over the course of the next 40 years Sheets won over 250 medals while competing in golf, swimming, Alpine skiing, tennis and power lifting. His favorite sport was golf and In 2006, he was the PGA’s national volunteer of the year for his work at the Wyndham Championship in his hometown of Greensboro, N.C. He is also included in the portrait of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and other Special Olympians which now resides in the National Portrait Gallery collections.
From its beginnings as Camp Shriver in Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s backyard, to the first international games in 1968, Special Olympics has been about giving people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in sport. This participation builds confidence, provides emotional support and offers social opportunities for the athletes and their families. With state chapters and a global presence through its World Games, “Special Olympics is the largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities with 5 million athletes in 170 countries worldwide.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1999
ID Number
2017.0134.21.01
accession number
2017.0134
catalog number
2017.0134.21.01

Catcher, Caffee Park

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1992
associated date
1993
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2018.0194.0001
accession number
2018.0194
catalog number
2018.0194.0001

Credential card with lanyard used by the family of Special Olympian Marty Sheets

Family credential card with lanyard is a white plastic card with "FAM" on the front. This was used by a member of Marty's family at the 1999 Special Olympics World Games.
Description (Brief)
Family credential card with lanyard is a white plastic card with "FAM" on the front. This was used by a member of Marty's family at the 1999 Special Olympics World Games. A purple lanyard is attached to the top of the card with purple plastic hooks and has several metal sponsor pins attached to it. This credential card was issued to each athlete and family member to provide access into the Special Olympic World Games and related events.
Marty Sheets was born with Downs Syndrome in 1953 but through Camp Joy, a camp for kids with intellectual disabilities, he found a love of sports. Invited to participate in the first International Special Olympic Games in Chicago in 1968, Marty formed a life long bond with founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Over the course of the next 40 years Sheets won over 250 medals while competing in golf, swimming, Alpine skiing, tennis and power lifting. His favorite sport was golf and In 2006, he was the PGA’s national volunteer of the year for his work at the Wyndham Championship in his hometown of Greensboro, N.C. He is also included in the portrait of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and other Special Olympians which now resides in the National Portrait Gallery collections.
From its beginnings as Camp Shriver in Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s backyard, to the first international games in 1968, Special Olympics has been about giving people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in sport. This participation builds confidence, provides emotional support and offers social opportunities for the athletes and their families. With state chapters and a global presence through its World Games, “Special Olympics is the largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities with 5 million athletes in 170 countries worldwide.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1999
ID Number
2017.0134.21.02
accession number
2017.0134
catalog number
2017.0134.21.02

Sticker used on the Sims Shannon Dunn pro model snowboard

Sticker used on the Sims Shannon Dunn pro model snowboard. The top graphic is a yellow and black sunflower with a green stem. "Shannon Dunn [/] Sims," is printed stylistically in yellow above and below the sunflower.
Description (Brief)
Sticker used on the Sims Shannon Dunn pro model snowboard. The top graphic is a yellow and black sunflower with a green stem. "Shannon Dunn [/] Sims," is printed stylistically in yellow above and below the sunflower. Dunn drew this graphic which was to be the first snowboard made with input from a woman snowboarder. Male industry leaders were skeptical that there would be a market for a femaled based board although it the most popular selling model on 1994.
Shannon Dunn (Downing) began snowboarding in 1988 at age 16, in her hometown of Steamboat Springs, Colorado when the sport was just gaining traction on an international level. In 1985, snowboarding became more relevant as a competitive sport with the arrival of sport specific magazines and videos, the introduction of international snowboard competitions and the acceptance of snowboarding in more resorts throughout the United States. By the late 1980s, women were beginning to enter contests hoping to spark a desire in younger girls to participate. Dunn began competing a year after she started snowboarding and took first in the 1989 Halfpipe Rocky Mountain Amateur Series and second place overall. By 1990 she was competing in the pro circuit and won third in the 1990 Body Glove Snowbout. From 1991 through 1997, Dunn was a consistent first place finisher at the pro contests and won gold in halfpipe at the first ever Winter X Games in 1997. She went on to earn a spot on the inaugural Olympic snowboarding team and became the first American athlete to medal in snowboarding winning the Bronze medal in half pipe at Nagano. Dunn continued her domination of the medal stand on the pro circuit until the 2002 Salt Lake City games where she came in fifth as American Kelly Clark to gold. After the 2002 Games Dunn retired in order to concentrate on her family. Dunn co-founded “Boarding for Breast Cancer” in 1996 and continues her philanthropic work.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1994
maker
Downing, Shannon
ID Number
2021.0071.07.2
accession number
2021.0071
catalog number
2021.0071.07.2

San Diego Padres Jersey worn by Tony Gwynn

San Diego Padres baseball jersey worn by Tony Gwynn.Outfielder Anthony Tony Gwynn (1960-2014) played Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres from 1960-2014.
Description
San Diego Padres baseball jersey worn by Tony Gwynn.
Outfielder Anthony Tony Gwynn (1960-2014) played Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres from 1960-2014. One of the greatest hitters of all-time, Gwynn, an 8-time National League batting champion, finishing his career with a lifetime.338 batting average and 3,141 hits.
The left hander was a 15 time All-Star and 1999's Roberto Clemente award recipient. After retiring, he became coach of the San Diego State University baseball team, leading the Aztecs to a 363-363 record from 2003-2014.
Known as Mr. Padre, Gwynn has had his number 19 retired by San Diego. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1987-1990
Associated Name
Gwynn, Tony
San Diego Padres
maker
Rawlings
ID Number
2017.0334.04
catalog number
2017.0334.04
accession number
2017.0334

Invitation to a Clinton White House Dinner, 1998

Invitation to a Clinton White House Dinner in 1998 is white with the gold presidential seal at the top and black . The inside reads, "The President and Mrs.
Description (Brief)
Invitation to a Clinton White House Dinner in 1998 is white with the gold presidential seal at the top and black . The inside reads, "The President and Mrs. Clinton request the pleasure of your company at a dinner and concert celebrating the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Special Olympics."
From its beginnings as Camp Shriver in Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s backyard, to the first international games in 1968, Special Olympics has been about giving people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in sport. This participation builds confidence, provides emotional support and offers social opportunities for the athletes and their families. With state chapters and a global presence through its World Games, “Special Olympics is the largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities with 5 million athletes in 170 countries worldwide.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1998
referenced
Clinton, Bill
Clinton, Hillary Rodham
ID Number
2017.0331.10
accession number
2017.0331
catalog number
2017.0331.10

Magazine proof featuring Jaime Reyes, professional skater for Rookie Skateboards

Magazine proof featuring Jaime Reyes, professional skater for Rookie Skateboards. Reyes is one of the pioneering women of 90s street skating and only one of three women ever to appear on the cover of Thrasher magazine.
Description (Brief)
Magazine proof featuring Jaime Reyes, professional skater for Rookie Skateboards. Reyes is one of the pioneering women of 90s street skating and only one of three women ever to appear on the cover of Thrasher magazine. She grew up in Hawaii skating A’Ala Park, an old roller derby rink before skateboarders showed up. Skating in the X-Games in the mid-90s she was one of three women competitors earning only a portion of what the male skaters were taking home. She turned pro in 1993 skating for Real but moved to New York City and began skating for Rookie Skateboards in the late 90s. Reyes has had her own shoe line and many different sponsors over the years but after 9/11, skating in New York City was suffering and Reyes lost many of her sponsors. She quit skating in 2009 after her father passed away although she has picked it back up in the last few years and is skating everyday.
Rookie skateboards, a company owned and operated by women was founded in New York City in 1996 by Jung Kwan, Elska Sandor and Catherine Lyons supplying skate gear and fashion specifically to women. The entrepreneurial skaters were tired of wearing clothes designed for women by men. Sandor explained, ''All the designs made for girls were being made by guys, so you either end up with something that was either porn or really cutesy.'' Skirts, form fitted pants and comfortable shirts became Rookies signature look along with the ‘no pink’ mantra. Rookie was often heralded for having both their boards and apparel manufactured in the United States but after 911 they struggled, due to their close proximity to ground zero, and began manufacturing their goods in Canada. Catering to street skaters in their urban New York City setting, Rookie sponsored some of the best pro street skaters of the era - Sean Kelling, Tino Razo and Jamie Reyes to name a few. No longer in business, Rookie left their mark on the NYC skate scene and continue to influence the skate market which has fostered its relationship with the growing number of female skaters.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1998
ID Number
2018.0271.15
accession number
2018.0271
catalog number
2018.0271.15

Special Olympics patch belonging Special Olympian Marty Sheets

Special Olympics patch awarded to Special Olympian Marty Sheets for Powerlifting at the 1991 International Special Olympics.Marty Sheets was born with Downs Syndrome in 1953 but through Camp Joy, a camp for kids with intellectual disabilities, he found a love of sports.
Description (Brief)
Special Olympics patch awarded to Special Olympian Marty Sheets for Powerlifting at the 1991 International Special Olympics.
Marty Sheets was born with Downs Syndrome in 1953 but through Camp Joy, a camp for kids with intellectual disabilities, he found a love of sports. Invited to participate in the first International Special Olympic Games in Chicago in 1968, Marty formed a life long bond with founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Over the course of the next 40 years Sheets won over 250 medals while competing in golf, swimming, Alpine skiing, tennis and power lifting. His favorite sport was golf and In 2006, he was the PGA’s national volunteer of the year for his work at the Wyndham Championship in his hometown of Greensboro, N.C. He is also included in the portrait of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and other Special Olympians which now resides in the National Portrait Gallery collections.
From its beginnings as Camp Shriver in Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s backyard, to the first international games in 1968, Special Olympics has been about giving people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in sport. This participation builds confidence, provides emotional support and offers social opportunities for the athletes and their families. With state chapters and a global presence through its World Games, “Special Olympics is the largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities with 5 million athletes in 170 countries worldwide.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1991
ID Number
2017.3064.24.03
nonaccession number
2017.3064
catalog number
2017.3064.24.03

Scrapbook page belonging to Special Olympian Marty Sheets

Scrapbook page belonging to Special Olympian Marty Sheets is one of forty taken from various scrapbooks made by his family over the many years of Marty's Special Olympic career.Marty Sheets was born with Downs Syndrome in 1953 but through Camp Joy, a camp for kids with intellectu
Description (Brief)
Scrapbook page belonging to Special Olympian Marty Sheets is one of forty taken from various scrapbooks made by his family over the many years of Marty's Special Olympic career.
Marty Sheets was born with Downs Syndrome in 1953 but through Camp Joy, a camp for kids with intellectual disabilities, he found a love of sports. Invited to participate in the first International Special Olympic Games in Chicago in 1968, Marty formed a life long bond with founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Over the course of the next 40 years Sheets won over 250 medals while competing in golf, swimming, Alpine skiing, tennis and power lifting. His favorite sport was golf and In 2006, he was the PGA’s national volunteer of the year for his work at the Wyndham Championship in his hometown of Greensboro, N.C. He is also included in the portrait of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and other Special Olympians which now resides in the National Portrait Gallery collections.
From its beginnings as Camp Shriver in Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s backyard, to the first international games in 1968, Special Olympics has been about giving people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in sport. This participation builds confidence, provides emotional support and offers social opportunities for the athletes and their families. With state chapters and a global presence through its World Games, “Special Olympics is the largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities with 5 million athletes in 170 countries worldwide.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1993
ID Number
2017.3064.05.16
nonaccession number
2017.3064
catalog number
2017.3064.05.16

Scrapbook page belonging to Special Olympian Marty Sheets

Scrapbook page belonging to Special Olympian Marty Sheets is one of forty taken from various scrapbooks made by his family over the many years of Marty's Special Olympic career.Marty Sheets was born with Downs Syndrome in 1953 but through Camp Joy, a camp for kids with intellectu
Description (Brief)
Scrapbook page belonging to Special Olympian Marty Sheets is one of forty taken from various scrapbooks made by his family over the many years of Marty's Special Olympic career.
Marty Sheets was born with Downs Syndrome in 1953 but through Camp Joy, a camp for kids with intellectual disabilities, he found a love of sports. Invited to participate in the first International Special Olympic Games in Chicago in 1968, Marty formed a life long bond with founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Over the course of the next 40 years Sheets won over 250 medals while competing in golf, swimming, Alpine skiing, tennis and power lifting. His favorite sport was golf and In 2006, he was the PGA’s national volunteer of the year for his work at the Wyndham Championship in his hometown of Greensboro, N.C. He is also included in the portrait of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and other Special Olympians which now resides in the National Portrait Gallery collections.
From its beginnings as Camp Shriver in Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s backyard, to the first international games in 1968, Special Olympics has been about giving people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in sport. This participation builds confidence, provides emotional support and offers social opportunities for the athletes and their families. With state chapters and a global presence through its World Games, “Special Olympics is the largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities with 5 million athletes in 170 countries worldwide.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1996
ID Number
2017.3064.05.28
nonaccession number
2017.3064
catalog number
2017.3064.05.28

Baseball Glove worn by Cal Ripken Jr.

Rawlings brand baseball glove worn by Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr.Shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. (b.1960) played Major League baseball's Baltimore Orioles from 1981-2001.
Description
Rawlings brand baseball glove worn by Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr.
Shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. (b.1960) played Major League baseball's Baltimore Orioles from 1981-2001. Ripken is known as baseball's Iron Man as he holds the Major League record for most consecutive games played (2,130.)
1982's American League rookie of the year, Ripken was a 19 time All-Star, two-time American League Most Valuable Player (1983,1991,) two-time gold glove award winner (1991, 1992) and a World Series champion (1983.)
With a lifetime .276 batting average Ripken amassed 431 home runs and 1,695 runs-batted-in over the course of his career. He broke New York Yankee first baseman Lou Gehrig's consecutive games record, set in 1925, on September 19, 1998.
Following his career, Ripken has been praised for his charitable work. In 2007 he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1999
Associated Name
Ripkin, Jr., Cal
Baltimore Orioles
maker
Rawlings
ID Number
2017.0334.02
catalog number
2017.0334.02
accession number
2017.0334

Scrapbook page belonging to Special Olympian Marty Sheets

Scrapbook page belonging to Special Olympian Marty Sheets is one of forty taken from various scrapbooks made by his family over the many years of Marty's Special Olympic career.Marty Sheets was born with Downs Syndrome in 1953 but through Camp Joy, a camp for kids with intellectu
Description (Brief)
Scrapbook page belonging to Special Olympian Marty Sheets is one of forty taken from various scrapbooks made by his family over the many years of Marty's Special Olympic career.
Marty Sheets was born with Downs Syndrome in 1953 but through Camp Joy, a camp for kids with intellectual disabilities, he found a love of sports. Invited to participate in the first International Special Olympic Games in Chicago in 1968, Marty formed a life long bond with founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Over the course of the next 40 years Sheets won over 250 medals while competing in golf, swimming, Alpine skiing, tennis and power lifting. His favorite sport was golf and In 2006, he was the PGA’s national volunteer of the year for his work at the Wyndham Championship in his hometown of Greensboro, N.C. He is also included in the portrait of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and other Special Olympians which now resides in the National Portrait Gallery collections.
From its beginnings as Camp Shriver in Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s backyard, to the first international games in 1968, Special Olympics has been about giving people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in sport. This participation builds confidence, provides emotional support and offers social opportunities for the athletes and their families. With state chapters and a global presence through its World Games, “Special Olympics is the largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities with 5 million athletes in 170 countries worldwide.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1993
ID Number
2017.3064.05.14
nonaccession number
2017.3064
catalog number
2017.3064.05.14

Stinger Yo-Yo

This plastic yo-yo was made by Small Minds Press in 1996. Called the Stinger, it remains unopened on a display card. It has indented flat sides. A real scorpion has been embedded inside of one half.
Description (Brief)
This plastic yo-yo was made by Small Minds Press in 1996. Called the Stinger, it remains unopened on a display card. It has indented flat sides. A real scorpion has been embedded inside of one half. There is educational information about scorpions on the reverse of the card.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1996
maker
Small Minds Press
ID Number
2002.0246.51
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.51

Slap Skateboard Magazine

This August 1999 issue of Slap magazine featured a memorial tribute to skateboarder Tim Brauch who died suddenly from a childhood heart condition. Slap magazine was founded in 1992 by Lance Dawes and was published monthly through 2008.
Description (Brief)
This August 1999 issue of Slap magazine featured a memorial tribute to skateboarder Tim Brauch who died suddenly from a childhood heart condition. Slap magazine was founded in 1992 by Lance Dawes and was published monthly through 2008. Dawes is better known as a photographer of skateboarders and musicians but also is an editor of Slap and is a well-known source of skate history. Slap was the first recognized skateboarding magazine to transition to online media and continues to provide an online forum for today’s skaters.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1999
depicted
Brauch, Tim
ID Number
2011.3085.275
nonaccession number
2011.3085
catalog number
2011.3085.275

25th Anniversary Special Olympics Gold medal, 1993

25th anniversary Special Olympics gold medal with a yellow and blue ribbon made in 1993.
Description (Brief)
25th anniversary Special Olympics gold medal with a yellow and blue ribbon made in 1993. The front of the medal depicts a running figure with "Together We Win" embossed at the top.
From its beginnings as Camp Shriver in Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s backyard, to the first international games in 1968, Special Olympics has been about giving people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in sport. This participation builds confidence, provides emotional support and offers social opportunities for the athletes and their families. With state chapters and a global presence through its World Games, “Special Olympics is the largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities with 5 million athletes in 170 countries worldwide.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1993
ID Number
2017.0331.13.1
accession number
2017.0331
catalog number
2017.0331.13.1

Official Guide to the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games

Official Guide to the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games.The 1996 Summer Olympic Games, also known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad were held in Atlanta, Georgia with 197 countries, 6,797 men and 3,523 women athletes participating.
Description (Brief)
Official Guide to the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games.
The 1996 Summer Olympic Games, also known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad were held in Atlanta, Georgia with 197 countries, 6,797 men and 3,523 women athletes participating. These Games saw the debuts of beach volleyball, mountain biking, softball, and women’s soccer. These Games also saw the American women, who had taken full advantage of Title IX legislation, excel in Olympic competition. The women’s gymnastics, soccer, softball and basketball teams all won gold, propelling the US women athletes into the global spotlight and beginning their dominance in Olympic competition. Atlanta benefitted from the Games as Centennial Olympic Park led to the revitalization of the downtown area and the Olympic Village became residence housing for area universities. These games marked the first time since 1984 that the United States topped the medal count with 101.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1996
ID Number
2018.3010.365
nonaccession number
2018.3010
catalog number
2018.3010.365

Ticket for baseball during the1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games

Ticket for baseball during the1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games.The 1996 Summer Olympic Games, also known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad were held in Atlanta, Georgia with 197 countries, 6,797 men and 3,523 women athletes participating.
Description (Brief)
Ticket for baseball during the1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games.
The 1996 Summer Olympic Games, also known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad were held in Atlanta, Georgia with 197 countries, 6,797 men and 3,523 women athletes participating. These Games saw the debuts of beach volleyball, mountain biking, softball, and women’s soccer. These Games also saw the American women, who had taken full advantage of Title IX legislation, excel in Olympic competition. The women’s gymnastics, soccer, softball and basketball teams all won gold, propelling the US women athletes into the global spotlight and beginning their dominance in Olympic competition. Atlanta benefitted from the Games as Centennial Olympic Park led to the revitalization of the downtown area and the Olympic Village became residence housing for area universities. These games marked the first time since 1984 that the United States topped the medal count with 101.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1996
ID Number
2018.3010.379
nonaccession number
2018.3010
catalog number
2018.3010.379

Scrapbook page belonging to Special Olympian Marty Sheets

Scrapbook page belonging to Special Olympian Marty Sheets is one of forty taken from various scrapbooks made by his family over the many years of Marty's Special Olympic career.Marty Sheets was born with Downs Syndrome in 1953 but through Camp Joy, a camp for kids with intellectu
Description (Brief)
Scrapbook page belonging to Special Olympian Marty Sheets is one of forty taken from various scrapbooks made by his family over the many years of Marty's Special Olympic career.
Marty Sheets was born with Downs Syndrome in 1953 but through Camp Joy, a camp for kids with intellectual disabilities, he found a love of sports. Invited to participate in the first International Special Olympic Games in Chicago in 1968, Marty formed a life long bond with founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Over the course of the next 40 years Sheets won over 250 medals while competing in golf, swimming, Alpine skiing, tennis and power lifting. His favorite sport was golf and In 2006, he was the PGA’s national volunteer of the year for his work at the Wyndham Championship in his hometown of Greensboro, N.C. He is also included in the portrait of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and other Special Olympians which now resides in the National Portrait Gallery collections.
From its beginnings as Camp Shriver in Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s backyard, to the first international games in 1968, Special Olympics has been about giving people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in sport. This participation builds confidence, provides emotional support and offers social opportunities for the athletes and their families. With state chapters and a global presence through its World Games, “Special Olympics is the largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities with 5 million athletes in 170 countries worldwide.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1995
ID Number
2017.3064.05.25
nonaccession number
2017.3064
catalog number
2017.3064.05.25

Oriental Trading Company American Flag Yo-Yo

This steel yo-yo was made by the Oriental Trading Company in the 1990s. This yo-yo has flat sides and a red, white, and blue American flag design on both halves.
Description (Brief)
This steel yo-yo was made by the Oriental Trading Company in the 1990s. This yo-yo has flat sides and a red, white, and blue American flag design on both halves. The Oriental Trading Company, begun as a gift shop in Omaha, is a large wholesale company that sells arts and crafts, toys and novelties.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1990s
maker
Oriental Trading Company
ID Number
2002.0246.08
accession number
2002.0246
catalog number
2002.0246.08

Ticket for baseball during the1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games

Ticket for baseball during the1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games.The 1996 Summer Olympic Games, also known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad were held in Atlanta, Georgia with 197 countries, 6,797 men and 3,523 women athletes participating.
Description (Brief)
Ticket for baseball during the1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games.
The 1996 Summer Olympic Games, also known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad were held in Atlanta, Georgia with 197 countries, 6,797 men and 3,523 women athletes participating. These Games saw the debuts of beach volleyball, mountain biking, softball, and women’s soccer. These Games also saw the American women, who had taken full advantage of Title IX legislation, excel in Olympic competition. The women’s gymnastics, soccer, softball and basketball teams all won gold, propelling the US women athletes into the global spotlight and beginning their dominance in Olympic competition. Atlanta benefitted from the Games as Centennial Olympic Park led to the revitalization of the downtown area and the Olympic Village became residence housing for area universities. These games marked the first time since 1984 that the United States topped the medal count with 101.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1996
ID Number
2018.3010.376
nonaccession number
2018.3010
catalog number
2018.3010.376

Basketball card of Rebecca Lobo while playing for the 1996 USA Basketball Women's National Team

Basketball card of Rebecca Lobo while playing for the 1996 USA Basketball Women's National Team. Lobo was a member of the University of Connecticut basketball team when they won the National Championships in 1995.
Description (Brief)
Basketball card of Rebecca Lobo while playing for the 1996 USA Basketball Women's National Team. Lobo was a member of the University of Connecticut basketball team when they won the National Championships in 1995. After her Olympic appearance she became of member of the WNBA team New York Liberty and went on to play for the Houston Comets and Conneticut Suns.
The 1996 Summer Olympic Games were held in Atlanta, Georgia and marked the first time since 1984 that the United States topped the medal count. These Games saw over 10,000 athletes, from 197 countries, competing in 26 sports, including the debuts of beach volleyball, mountain biking, softball and women’s soccer. This was also the first Games in which American women, who had taken full advantage of Title IX legislation, competed and excelled in Olympic competition. The women’s gymnastics, soccer, softball and basketball teams all won gold, propelling the US women athletes into the global spotlight and beginning their dominance in Olympic competition. Atlanta benefitted from the Games as Centennial Olympic Park led to the revitalization of the downtown area and the Olympic Village became residence housing for area universities.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1996
depicted
Rushin, Rebecca
maker
Upper Deck
ID Number
2004.0164.05
accession number
2004.0164
catalog number
2004.0164.05

Scrapbook page belonging to Special Olympian Marty Sheets

Scrapbook page belonging to Special Olympian Marty Sheets is one of forty taken from various scrapbooks made by his family over the many years of Marty's Special Olympic career.Marty Sheets was born with Downs Syndrome in 1953 but through Camp Joy, a camp for kids with intellectu
Description (Brief)
Scrapbook page belonging to Special Olympian Marty Sheets is one of forty taken from various scrapbooks made by his family over the many years of Marty's Special Olympic career.
Marty Sheets was born with Downs Syndrome in 1953 but through Camp Joy, a camp for kids with intellectual disabilities, he found a love of sports. Invited to participate in the first International Special Olympic Games in Chicago in 1968, Marty formed a life long bond with founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Over the course of the next 40 years Sheets won over 250 medals while competing in golf, swimming, Alpine skiing, tennis and power lifting. His favorite sport was golf and In 2006, he was the PGA’s national volunteer of the year for his work at the Wyndham Championship in his hometown of Greensboro, N.C. He is also included in the portrait of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and other Special Olympians which now resides in the National Portrait Gallery collections.
From its beginnings as Camp Shriver in Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s backyard, to the first international games in 1968, Special Olympics has been about giving people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in sport. This participation builds confidence, provides emotional support and offers social opportunities for the athletes and their families. With state chapters and a global presence through its World Games, “Special Olympics is the largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities with 5 million athletes in 170 countries worldwide.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1991
ID Number
2017.3064.05.06
nonaccession number
2017.3064
catalog number
2017.3064.05.06

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.