Located adjacent to the Quarry, Canada’s largest outdoor swimming pool, the Hall of Fame located in St. Marys, Ontario is a short, 30 minute drive from London, Ontario. Housed in a newly expanded 2500 sq ft addition and our renovated century-old building, the shrine pays homage to 125 inductees who have left their mark on Canadian Baseball.

Through an exclusive collection, the Hall tells the story of Fergie Jenkins, a courageous, black man from Chatham, Ontario who overcame seemingly insurmountable odds and racial barriers to become one of the most dominant major league pitchers of his era. Also shared is the inspiring and heart-wrenching tale of the Vancouver Asahi – a team of Japanese Canadians who won five Pacific Northwest Championships before being interned during World War II. If you are interested in current Canadian-born big leaguers such as John Axford, Russell Martin, Michael Saunders, James Paxton, Tyler O’Neill and Joey Votto, they are also well represented in the museum.

For a glimpse into Canada’s baseball future, you can also wander around the picturesque, 32-acre site and view what is “The Great Canadian Dream Park.” With four ball fields already constructed, the Hall is progressing towards its goal of becoming the official home of baseball in this country. The vision for the site includes walking trails and picnic grounds.

If you’re thinking about making the trip to the Hall of Fame this summer, don’t forget to pack a bathing suit so you can have a dip in the Quarry. Also, keep the Hall in mind if you’re planning a trip to Stratford, Ontario – the museum is only 15 kilometres from the festival town.

For more information about the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, please call us at 519-284-1838.

MUSEUM

15 minutes west of Stratford: Go west from Stratford on hwy #7 Turn right at Perth Line #9 Just past Tim Hortons turn left onto Church St. S. Follow to “V” in the road and take the “V” right.

30 minutes North of London: Go North on either Highbury or Hwy 4 from London Turn right on hwy #7 Turn left on Perth Rd 123 Turn right on Park St. Turn right on Church St. S. Follow to “V” in the road and take the “V” right.

The History of the Museum

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum was started in Toronto by Bruce Prentice and was incorporated on November 19, 1982. The main two homes for the Hall of Fame in Toronto were Exhibition Place and Ontario Place. Unfortunately in 1991 the Hall of Fame had to close it doors in Toronto.

During the early 1990’s 12 cities expressed interest in becoming the new home for the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The top 2 cities were Guelph and St. Marys and St. Marys won the bidding process on August 25, 1994 and became the new home for the Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame officially opened in St. Marys on June 4, 1998.

The Hall of Fame is located in St. Marys for two main reasons. The first being the historic reference to one of the first recorded game of baseball in North America. It took place in Beachville, Ontario (30 minutes south of St. Marys) on June 4, 1838 and was written about by St. Marys native Adam Ford in the 1886 Sporting Life magazine. Adam was also the Mayor of St. Marys and a Doctor in St. Marys. The other main reason is the donation of 32 acres of land by the St. Marys Cement Company. The St. Marys Rotary Club was the first club to join hands with the Hall of Fame and help establish what we have today.

Also, a local firm called the St. Marys Wood Specialty Company added the production of baseball bats to its production line at the turn of the 20th century and the wood company stated in St. Marys until 1933 when it moved to Hespeler, Ontario.

Directions

15 minutes west of Stratford: Go west from Stratford on hwy #7 Turn right at Perth Line #9 Just past Tim Hortons turn left onto Church St. S. Follow to “V” in the road and take the “V” right.

30 minutes North of London: Go North on either Highbury or Hwy 4 from London Turn right on hwy #7 Turn left on Perth Rd 123 Turn right on Park St. Turn right on Church St. S. Follow to “V” in the road and take the “V” right.