SPRINGFIELD, MO — The Springfield-Greene County Park Board’s Timmons Hall hosts Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Sunday, June 27, 12:30-3:30 p.m., with Kendrick speaking at 2 p.m.
Kendrick gives a special presentation on the Negro Leagues, including Springfield native Herman “Doc” Horn, Jr., a player with the Kansas City Monarchs, 1949-1954. Kendrick’s visit is part of the Timmons Hall Day celebration, held on the second anniversary of the Timmons Hall opening in 2019.
Founded in 1990, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) is the world’s only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of African-American baseball and its impact on the social advancement of America. The museum is located in the heart of Kansas City’s historic 18th and Vine Jazz District.
According to the museum’s website, Kendrick was named President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in 2011, previously serving as Director of Marketing 1998-2009, and Vice President of Marketing in 2009-2010. As president, Kendrick has helped orchestrate a nearly $20 million turnaround that has helped the NLBM regain its vitality and financial stability. He is responsible for the creation of several signature museum educational programs and events including the Hall of Game, which annually honors former Major League Baseball greats who played the game in the spirit and signature style of the Negro Leagues.
While he doesn’t fashion himself to be a historian, Kendrick is a leading authority on Negro Leagues Baseball history and its connection to issues relating to sports, race and diversity.
“I couldn’t be more excited about bringing Bob Kendrick to Springfield,” said Christine Peoples, Timmons Hall Coordinator. “It is truly an honor. At Timmons Hall, we are intentional on raising the bar in education, history and cultural programming.”
Registration is required for this event, and admission is $2.50. To register, click here or call 417-864-1046 by 5 p.m. Friday, June 25. Kendrick’s presentation will also be broadcast live on Timmon’s Hall Facebook page and archived there and at ParkBoard.org/TimmonsHall.
About Timmons Hall
Historic Timmons Hall, located at 1055 E. Webster, is a former church that was relocated to Silver Springs Park in 2015. The building now serves as an event facility, offering historical, cultural and educational opportunities, owned and operated by the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.
Timmons Temple Church of God in Christ was built in 1932 at the corner of Webster Street and Texas Avenue, overlooking Silver Springs Park. The small church served Springfield’s African American community for more than 80 years before the congregation outgrew the building and relocated in 2014. Timmons Temple was sold and slated for demolition. Nonprofit group Save Timmons Temple (now Friends of Timmons Temple) formed to preserve the church, noting its historic significance as well as its unique stone exterior, including sunburst patterns also found in the retaining walls in Silver Springs Park. In early 2015, in coordination with the Park Board, Timmons Temple was relocated by about 600 feet into Silver Springs Park. Through four years of private donation and in-kind labor, Friends of Timmons Temple carefully restored the building, officially reopening in 2019.
For more information, visit Timmons Hall online.
For media inquiries, contact Jenny Fillmer Edwards, or Jenny Fillmer Edwards, Public Information Administrator for the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, at 417-224-5510.
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