Norway baseball museum set to open

Guess I didn't even know about this, but this is a great thing. No community in this area, let alone the state, has as much rich baseball heritage as Norway.

Right now, the Iowa Baseball Museum of Norway is scheduled to open to the public on Feb. 2. It'll be open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. at 112 East Railroad Street in Norway.

Here's a release from the museum:

IOWA BASEBALL MUSEUM OF NORWAY SET TO OPEN

After a year of hard work and dedication the Iowa Baseball Museum of Norway is ready to open. Beginning February 2nd the museum will be open to the public. Hours will be Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 1-4 PM or by appointment by calling 319-721-6288.

The Iowa Baseball Museum of Norway is located at 112 East Railroad Street in Norway.

A nonprofit group made up of local residents was given the original 1905 Benton County Savings Bank building by former resident Burtwin Day who had long dreamed of a baseball museum. Spurred by interest in the “Final Season” movie, the building has been completely remodeled and is now the home of the history of Norway baseball.

The Iowa Baseball Museum of Norway tells the story of how baseball started in the small rural town of Norway, became a winning tradition, and culminated in 20 State Championships plus many college, semi pro, and major/minor league players.

Historical baseball items, photographs, and awards are displayed with the centerpiece being the twenty state championship trophies. The original scoreboard from the high school baseball diamond is prominently displayed on the front side of the museum, and on the westside of the building hangs a large mural painted by a local high school student who won the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum Uncommon Student Award for the mural.

A formal grand opening is being planned for this summer. For now the museum plans to operate on donations and gifts received from those touring the museum and anyone interested in being a member of the museum. For further information, or for those interested in making a donation or becoming a member, please contact Museum Manager, at P.O. Box 151, Norway, Iowa, 52318.