International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame

Discover the region’s premier sports museum brimming with one-of-a-kind bowling artifacts, a unique bowling experience and a cutting-edge glimpse at the far-flung future of this global pastime. Pass through Bowling’s Hall of Fame where rare photos and vintage film clips tell the stories of bowling’s greatest legends.

The International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame collects, preserves and exhibits the 5,000-year history of the worldwide sport of bowling. From the ancient Egyptians to British monarchs to an enterprising German immigrant, follow the sport’s journey from archeological digs... to American taverns ... to today’s cutting-edge computer assisted training centers. No visit to the International Bowling Campus is complete without experiencing the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame.

Exhibits

The International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame will be hosting its permanent collection including exhibits on the origins of the game, its history in the early United States, women’s professional bowling, the science and technology of bowling, and much more.

The Inventors
Explore the inventors, innovators and perfecters of the game of bowling. From the ancient Egyptians to British monarchs to an enterprising German immigrant, follow the sport’s journey from archeological digs to American taverns to the first American bowling “alley.”

The Advocates
Meet the earliest advocates of bowling. From King Henry the VIII to Budweiser®, the King of Beers, this sport has had more than its share of dedicated enthusiasts and loyal sponsors. Brands like Bud®, Strohs® and Pabst® have each sponsored bowling team after bowling team. And here, we trot out everything but the Clydesdales in our nostalgic, interactive Beer Teams exhibit.

The Champions
Wander through our Bowling Hall of Fame. Follow the meteoric careers of bowling’s greatest champs at the touch of a screen. Watch hall of famer Don Carter move up from boy pinsetter to living legend. See female great Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, a 10-time All American, three-time Collegiate All American and a 2007 inductee into the USBC Hall of Fame. All of the heroes of this great sport come alive in this fully interactive venue.

The Innovations
The innovations of bowling unfold before your eyes through life-sized replicas, touch-screen kiosks, film montages and interactive games.

The Future
Witness the latest computer-assisted coaching techniques, explore the current trends in Olympic training and experience the growing movement of professional women’s bowling. Then give the kids a hands-on experience at Bowlopolis™, where the pleasure of bowling comes alive for even the tiniest child. The future of bowling is here at your fingertips.

Participation in Museum Day is open to any tax-exempt or governmental museum or cultural venue on a voluntary basis. Smithsonian magazine encourages museum visitation, but is not responsible for and does not endorse the content of the participating museums and cultural venues, and does not subsidize museums that participate.