The New Jersey Hall of Fame—home to many of the Garden State’s best and brightest—will now have a home to call its own with a state-of-the-art museum at the American Dream retail and entertainment complex in the Meadowlands, which is scheduled to open later in 2019.
“I am deeply excited that American Dream will become the New Jersey Hall of Fame’s permanent home,” Governor Phil Murphy said. “New Jerseyans will learn about the distinguished inductees, who will inspire residents to be the next generation of New Jersey leaders.”
The New Jersey Hall of Fame, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, to date has used a mobile museum as its home, attracting thousands of visitors across the Garden State each year.
Don Ghermezian, President of American Dream, said, “We are very proud to be the new home for The New Jersey Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame museum will be a state-of-the-art facility that will showcase the incredible contributions and outstanding achievements of so many inspiring individuals that have called New Jersey their home. The Hall of Fame will complement and enhance our property’s exceptional offering of entertainment, performing arts, culinary and retail experiences that will draw over 40 million visitors annually.”
Jon F. Hanson, the Hall of Fame’s chairman of the board, said, “We are beyond excited to have a place to call home, and thrilled that it will be at American Dream. We are proud of the rich and important contributions our inductees have made to New Jersey and beyond, and our new home will allow us to showcase our state to so many more people.”
“The NJHOF leadership thanks our founders and family of supporters for helping us to create one of the ultimate symbols of Jersey pride,” Steve Edwards, president of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. “This exciting new attraction and learning center will have an immeasurable impact on the pride of New Jerseyans, and will help inspire its visitors to realize their highest and best sense of self, with a moral excellence of character.”
Baseball standout Al Leiter was among the many inductees who attended the museum’s groundbreaking a few months ago. “I’m grateful and proud of the honor that my HOF induction and legacy will be showcased alongside all the other New Jersey Hall of Famers at this fantastic new museum home at American Dream,” said Leiter.
The accomplishments of Garden State citizens span the pages of nearly every volume of American history. Through the power of images, artifacts, film and a suite of interactive tools, New Jersey’s leaders and legends featured at the New Jersey Hall of Fame are made accessible to every curious imagination.
The New Jersey Hall of Fame permanent museum will be located within several minutes of many attractions at American Dream, including Legoland Discovery Center and Sealife Aquarium, a DreamWorks Water Park, a Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, Cirque de Soleil and KidZania. An estimated 40 million are expected to visit the American Dream complex annually.