Sports : Norway Baseball Museum preserves a big piece of town's history

Museum captures years of Norway baseball history, championships

A visitor persuses a collection of written history at Museum.

Baseballs and bank architecture create a unique sight.

The walls at Baseball Museum are lined with memorabilia.

The Norway Tiger trophies honor legendary high school team.

Norway baseball continues to live in the new Museum.

After a year of hard work and dedication on the part of countless area residents and baseball lovers, the Iowa Baseball Museum of Norway is open.  

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 PO Box 151, Norway, IA  52318.

Hours are 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.