Character Counts! Sponsors Elmhurst Historical Museum Exhibit

imageCONTACT PERSON
Patrice Roche, Marketing & Communications Specialist
Elmhurst Historical Museum
 (630) 833-1457

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 3, 2010

CHICAGO AREA PREMIERE:
Life of Baseball Hero and Humanitarian Celebrated in
New Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition

“Any time you have the opportunity to make a difference in this world, and you don’t do it, you are wasting your time on this earth.” — Roberto Clemente

ELMHURST, IL – Roberto Clemente Walker (1934-1972) remains a legendary figure in sports, in philanthropy, and in the hearts of millions of Americans and Puerto Ricans. With a cannon arm and lightning speed, he is remembered as an outstanding baseball player; nevertheless, the Puerto Rico native’s legend reaches beyond the diamond.

            Elmhurst Historical Museum proudly presents the Chicago area premiere of a new Smithsonian traveling exhibition honoring this sports hero and dedicated humanitarian. “Beyond Baseball: The Life of Roberto Clemente” will be on display at Elmhurst Historical Museum, 120 E. Park Ave. in Elmhurst, from February 2 through April 11, 2010 as part of an ongoing 20-city national tour extending through 2012. The exhibit is bilingual (English/Spanish), and sheds light on Clemente’s life story as a study in character, determination, and the ascendancy of man to myth.

Accomplishments on and off the field
“Beyond Baseball” provides a unique glimpse into the America of Roberto’s time, the game known as “America’s Pastime,” and the heroism that transcends both. Clemente was born in the summer of 1934 in a humble house on an old country road in Barrio San Antón, Carolina, Puerto Rico. He died on December 31, 1972, in a plane crash a few miles from his birthplace while attempting to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. In just 38 years Clemente became a baseball legend in the United States, but in his homeland and throughout Latin America he became a national cultural icon.
In his 18 years with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Clemente earned 12 consecutive Gold Glove Awards, won four batting crowns, and amassed 3,000 hits. He was an integral part of the Pirates’ World Series victories in 1960 and 1971. Clemente’s precise and powerful throwing arm earned him acclaim as “the greatest right fielder of all time” by broadcaster Tim McCarver. He also was honored as the National League MVP in 1966, and Clemente was elected to the Hall of Fame posthumously—the first Latino American to be inducted.

A voice for the underprivileged
While Clemente rose to stardom with his accomplishments on the field, he never forgot his heritage and the prejudice he faced throughout his career. He fought for the recognition of his fellow Latino baseball players, helped people in need across the United States and Central America, and held free baseball clinics for children in his homeland. His charitable work led to the creation of Sports City, an athletic complex in his hometown designed to help disadvantaged youth develop athletic skills and prevent illegal drug use.

Tragically, Clemente’s life ended at age 38 in a plane crash as he was flying relief supplies to Nicaraguan earthquake victims. In memory of Clemente, Major League Baseball established the Roberto Clemente Man of the Year Award to recognize baseball players who combine outstanding skills on the field with devoted work in the community.

“Beyond Baseball” integrates photos, narrative, video, and artifacts – including his scouting card, batting helmet, and a bat on loan from the Louisville Slugger Museum – to tell Clemente’s story. The exhibit was developed by the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico with the Carimar Design and Research studio and organized for travel by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. It is complemented by a downloadable bilingual podcast and an interactive web site at www.robertoclemente.si.edu. The exhibition is made possible by the generous support of the Smithsonian Latino Center.

Note that “Beyond Baseball” is endorsed by “Character Counts!,” a nationwide coalition adopted by the Elmhurst community to advocate core ethical values through the "Six Pillars of Character," namely trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Clemente’s legacy – as a role model and heroic humanitarian – embodies the core values of the “Character Counts!” program.

Take advantage of this special opportunity to see a new Smithsonian national traveling exhibit in its Chicago area premiere. “Beyond Baseball: The Life of Roberto Clemente” will be on display at Elmhurst Historical Museum, 120 E. Park Ave. in Elmhurst, from February 2-April 11, 2010. The exhibit is open Tuesday through Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m., and general admission is free. For more information on the exhibit and special related events, go to www.elmhursthistory.org.

The Elmhurst Historical Museum is a local history museum dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the history of Elmhurst and the surrounding community. General admission is free with nominal fees for special programs.  For more information, call 630-833-1457 or visit our web site at www.elmhursthistory.org.

The Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, a Smithsonian Affiliate, celebrates Puerto Rico’s centuries-old artistic traditions of painting, sculpture, graphics, ceramics, folk art, photography and contemporary media. The San Juan museum collects, interprets and presents Puerto Rican art in permanent and temporary exhibitions, while fostering awareness of other art traditions from Latin America and the rest of the world.  
The Smithsonian Latino Center is dedicated to ensuring that Latino contributions to arts, sciences and the humanities are highlighted, understood and advanced through the development and support of public programs, scholarly research, museum collections and educational opportunities at the Smithsonian Institution and its affiliated organizations across the United States.

SITES has been sharing the wealth of Smithsonian collections and research programs with millions of people outside Washington, D.C., for more than 50 years. SITES connects Americans to their shared cultural heritage through a wide range of exhibitions about art, science and history, which are shown wherever people live, work and play. Exhibition descriptions and tour schedules are available at www.sites.si.edu.
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