6/23/2007:
When Roger Maris was approached with the idea of creating a museum in his honor, the Fargo native initially declined. Eventually he relented, on the condition, he said, that it be put in a place “where people will see it, and they won’t have to pay for it.”
The Roger Maris Museum was dedicated on this day, June 23, 1984 in Fargo’s West Acres Mall. Maris donated nearly all of his awards and memorabilia to the museum, but sadly passed away less than six months after the museum was dedicated. True to his wishes, the museum displays are not only free, but housed in a public mall that is visited by over seven million shoppers every year.
In 2003, the museum exhibition underwent a major renovation. It now includes samples of Maris’ jerseys, seats from Yankee Stadium, and replicas of his Yankee Stadium monument and 1961 locker.
Written by Christina Sunwall
Sources:
Minnesota Public Radio <news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/199806/26_gundersond_maris-m/
Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks <www.nlfan.com/fargo/maris>
Roger Maris Museum <www.rogermarismuseum.com>