Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kate Bieg

December 17, 2009 215.685.4827 office

610.730.1532 cell

PHILLIES' JIMMY ROLLINS PRESENTS TEAM MEMORABILIA TO

ATWATER KENT MUSEUM OF PHILADELPHIA

(Philadelphia, PA)--In a Mayoral ceremony at the Independence Visitor Center (6th & Market Streets) on Monday, December 21 at 2:00 p.m., the Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia (AKMP) will accept the donation of baseball memorabilia from the Phillies' 2008 World Championship and 2009 National League Championship seasons from shortstop Jimmy Rollins and team president David Montgomery. Among the donated items will be Rollins' uniform. Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter and Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia Executive Director and CEO Viki Sand will accept the items. In addition to the presentation, there will be a screening of "Base Ball: The Philadelphia Game," narrated by Rollins, a "webisode" which is part of the documentary film "Philadelphia: The Great Experiment," a work in progress by Sam Katz of History Making Productions.

AKMP, the city history museum, collects, preserves, and exhibits the premier collection of Philadelphia historical objects ranging from the 17th century to today. The museum presents numerous public programs that engage city visitors and residents in discussions surveying the challenges and successes of urban life. The Museum Building is currently closed as the historic pre-Civil War structure undergoes a major renovation, including the addition of a Philadelphia Sports Gallery. It is here that Rollins's uniform will be placed along with additional Phillies memorabilia that will be donated at the ceremony on December 21.

"The Atwater Kent Museum preserves a lasting legacy for Philadelphians, one that both residents and visitors can learn from in many diverse forms. The museum works to collect and preserve items from hundreds of years ago, as well as items from present-day Philadelphians who will be remembered many generations from now as Philadelphia legends. Jimmy Rollins is one such legend who we are honored to call a Philadelphian and provide acknowledgment for in the city history museum. The addition of Jimmy's uniform and these other items of team memorabilia from the last two championship seasons not only adds to the museum's vast collection, but also reminds us that we are making history happen every day," states Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter.

AKMP currently cares for a diverse collection of Philadelphia baseball memorabilia items that includes artificial turf, seats, and a ticket turnstile from Veterans' Stadium, the 1982 uniform of Phillies legend Mike Schmidt, a signed baseball from the 1930 team including the autograph of Connie Mack, a ticket to the 1929 World Championship Games at Shibe Park, and an autographed team photo of the 1910 World Championship Philadelphia Athletics. Beyond just baseball, the new Sports Gallery will feature additional items of great historical significance that are part of the city history collection, including boxing gloves of Joe Frazier; the scale used to weigh Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney for their 1926 championship boxing match; and the United Bowmen silver archery trophy—what is considered the first sporting trophy in the U.S.—dating from the 1830s.

"We are delighted to accept Jimmy Rollins' uniform and the Phillies memorabilia for the Philadelphia history collection. Mr. Rollins' and the Phillies' generous contributions add to a continuing story of the city's great sporting heritage. We are currently in the midst of a major renovation to turn the historic building on 7th street into a dynamic 21st century museum for Philadelphians and visitors. Jimmy's uniform will be the centerpiece of an all-new Philadelphia sports gallery when we reopen in the fall of 2010," AKMP Executive Director and CEO Viki Sand says.

The Phillies have enjoyed a rich history in one of the country's most passionate sports cities. Since 2008 the team has captured two National League pennants and a World Series Championship. The team is donating unique items from these historic years to the city history collection at the Atwater Kent Museum, including a 2009 game-used baseball thrown by pitcher J.A. Happ in NLCS Game #5, a 2008 World Series Game #3 framed replica lineup card, and autographed photo from pitcher Jamie Moyer, a champagne bottle from the Phillies Clubhouse celebration of the 2008 World Series, and team-signed baseballs from the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

"The past two seasons have been a special time for our ball club," said Phillies president David Montgomery. "We are delighted that these seasons and 127 years of Phillies baseball will be memorialized along with many other Philadelphia sports moments with the opening of the Atwater Kent Museum's sports collection. We are thrilled to be a part of this exciting new exhibit."

A large part of the Phillies recent success is due to one of the team's standout players, shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Since entering the league in 2000 with the Phillies, Rollins has proven himself a legend among greats in Phillies history. In addition to being a key player Rollins has received many honors including: Most Valuable Player (2007), three Gold Gloves (2007-2009), and a Silver Slugger award (2007). Rollins has also been an All-Star three times (2001-2002, 2005) and represented the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic All-Tournament (2009). After narrating the "webisode" focusing on the history of baseball in Philadelphia, Rollins was eager to continue his support of the city's cultural and historical resources by donating his uniform to the Atwater Kent Museum

"This exhibit will preserve the legacy of Philadelphia baseball," said Jimmy Rollins, Phillies shortstop. "Fans will get the chance to relive some of baseball's greatest moments for years to come."

Following the Phillies presentation at the December 21 event, Katz will host a screening of "Base Ball: The Philadelphia Game," narrated by Rollins. "We found Jimmy Rollins not only to be a great narrator of this short film but a real baseball history aficionado. His appreciation for the game he plays so brilliantly is just another peek into his dynamic persona," Katz observed.

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About the Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia

For over 70 years the Atwater Kent Museum has been collecting and interpreting the stories of Philadelphia's 300 year history. The collection numbers over 100,000 objects, paintings, and photographs, revealing the rich historical legacy of one of the country's great cities. The Museum Building, designed and built by John Haviland in 1826 for the Franklin Institute, is currently undergoing the first major renovation since the 1940s. To be completed in 2010, the renovated facility will include an interactive exhibition surveying Philadelphia's development, new galleries for temporary and long-term exhibitions, and a "behind the scenes" collection study center for individual visitors and student groups. The museum is supported by the City of Philadelphia, other federal and state agencies, private foundations, and individual contributions. For continuing exhibition and program information, updates on museum renovations, and membership details, call 215.685.4830 or visit www.philadelphiahistory.org.