Roger Maris Museum
A sampling of autographed home run baseballs
Humble Hometown Hero
When approached with the idea of creating a museum in his honor, Roger Eugene Maris (September 10, 1934 – December 14, 1985) – who hit a Major League Baseball record 61 home runs during the 1961 season for the New York Yankees, breaking Babe Ruth’s single-season record of 60 home runs in 1927 – declined. An incredibly humble man, he eventually relented but requested that the museum be “put where people will see it.” He also requested that the museum be open to the public free of charge.
The Roger Maris Museum opened in Fargo, North Dakota – Roger’s hometown – in 1984, and true to Roger’s wishes, it is visible, accessible, and free. Located in the Roger Maris Wing near the Aquarium Court at West Acres Shopping Center, the glass-enclosed museum enables visitors to re-live Roger’s legendary life. More than 7,000,000 people visit West Acres every year, and while museum officials don’t track museum attendees, there is almost always someone viewing the memorabilia.
The museum, which was originally created by Bob Smith, Jim McLaughlin and American Legion Post No. 2, was fully renovated by West Acres in 2003. Notable museum features include:
- A video room for watching historic footage while sitting on actual Yankee Stadium seats from the Maris era.
- A replica of Roger’s Yankee Stadium monument.
- A replica of Roger’s 1961 locker.
- Displays and artifacts from Roger’s youth and Major League playing days.
If you have questions about visiting the Roger Maris Museum, contact us.
Reflections