WHAT: Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History will host a two-day, by-
appointment-only press preview of “¡Pleibol! In the Barrios and the Big
Leagues/En los barrios y las grandes ligas.”
WHEN: Wednesday, June 30, and Thursday, July 1, by appointment only between 10
a.m. and 12:30 p.m. or by special request for morning shows.
WHERE: National Museum of American History
ACCESS: Staff entrance, 12th Street N.W. between Constitution Avenue and Madison
Drive, walk through parking lot at security booth. The museum is closed
to the public those days, and there is no entrance at the Constitution
Avenue or Mall doors.
WHO: Margaret Salazar-Porzio, curator, Latino History and Culture, National
Museum of American History
Robin Morey, curatorial assistant, National Museum of American History
Maria del Carmen Cossu, project director for Latino initiatives, Smithsonian
Institution Traveling Exhibition Service
The iconic crack of the bat and roar of an excited crowd will be heard from neighborhood parks to Major League stadiums this summer. On July 2, “¡Pleibol! In the Barrios and the Big Leagues/En los barrios y las grandes ligas,” a new bilingual exhibition, will take audiences on a journey into the heart of American baseball to understand how generations of Latinas/os have helped make the game what it is today. “¡Pleibol!” captures the excitement of the game with more than 60 artifacts and fan memorabilia, photographs, graphics, inspirational quotes and more. Roberto Clemente’s Pittsburgh Pirates batting helmet; a childhood softball uniform worn by Marge Villa Cryan, who later played for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League; Pedro Martinez’s New York Mets jersey; and an award received by Spanish-language sports broadcaster Jaime Jarrin are among objects on view.
Contact Melinda Machado or Laura Duff by email to schedule an in-person preview. Press and public are invited to attend a “’¡Pleibol!’ Virtual Exhibition Opening” July 9 at 7 p.m. for a behind-the-scenes tour from curators. The museum is open Fridays through Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free reserved passes are required and accessible through the museum’s website.
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