Newport Sports Museum

The Newport Sports Museum offers a collection of sports memorabilia to the community in an effort to motivate kids and help guide them into adulthood with confidence and success. The museum has been a part of the community since 1953 when 12-year-old John W. Hamilton received an autographed ball from the Look All-American Football Team. Hamilton continued to collect memorabilia and in 1995 opened the museum to the public. His goal, the same goal many athletes and sports fans shared, was to "display historical sports memorabilia and educated and motivate Southern California youth." The museum's collection includes memorabilia from baseball, basketball, hockey, golf, football, surfing, skating, snow sports, and the Olympics. Items range from jerseys to equipment, autographed materials, commemorative programs, and items that relate to the best stories in sports history. Tours of the museum are offered to community groups and private groups and individuals and usually last about an hour to an hour and a half. Field trips require groups of 30 kids or more and are one of the most popular events at the museum. Tours may include an overview of sports history, motivational speeches, autograph sessions, or scavenger hunts. The museum can be rented for special private, public, and non-profit events.