Updated: 9/20/2017 
Jesse Owens Museum
Danville, Alabama
Description

In the 1936 Olympic games in Berlin, a single man captured the attention of the world, winning 4 gold medals, an Olympic first. Sixty years later, thousands gathered to honor this man with the dedication of a park named in his honor, the Jesse Owens Memorial Park. Dedicated on June 29, 1996 with the arrival of the Olympic torch on its journey to the Atlanta games, the Jesse Owens Memorial Park is a tribute to the Olympic track and field superstar.

The Jesse Owens Memorial Park Museum immortalizes Owens' memory by depicting the moments that made Owens great and portraying the people who shaped him as an athlete and as a man. Glass display cases showcase rare memorabilia including programs from the 1936 Olympics, replicas of track uniforms and shoes, and medals and trophies from Owens' high school days. In addition, the museum offers visitors interactive kiosks that highlight Owens' life and accomplishments.

The museum's mini-theater shows the movie "Return to Berlin" in which Owens narrates the 1936 Olympics. Visitors can follow the larger-than-life panel displays throughout the museum that depict Owens' life beginning in Oakville, Alabama to his death in 1980. The panel displays highlight Owens' athletic accomplishments as well as his humanitarian efforts.

For those interested in learning more about the life of Jesse Owens, the museum offers The Decatur Daily Resource Center. Equipped with computers and printers, the center allows visitors to do their own research of this Olympic gold medalist.

Library

Access: General Public, Students, Scholars

Appointment required: False

Services
The Store

The store is located inside the museum and offers a variety of souvenirs and educational materials. Visitors can purchase an assortment of books and DVD’s about Jesse Owens’ life and his accomplishments. Also available are Jesse Owens Memorial Park logo clothing, pencils, bookmarks, caps, Jesse Owens’ authentic postage stamp key chains and bookmarks, mugs inscribed with Jesse Owens’ quotes, rulers, cookbooks, Christmas ornaments, posters and more.

For that special gift or souvenir, there are a limited number of signed Authentic Bronze Souvenir pieces from the sculpting of the Jesse Owens statue. A popular poster of Jesse Owens taken at the 1936 Olympics by Leni Riefenstahl, Hitler’s photographer and filmmaker is available both framed and unframed.

Your next family, church or social event

In the spirit of investing in the community, the Jesse Owens Memorial Park offers a wide range of on-site community resources. The park provides a playground, baseball/softball fields and basketball court for visitors and Lawrence County residents to enjoy. Picnic tables and pavilions skirt the playing fields and playground. The Jesse Owens Memorial Park & Museum would be ideal for your next family, church or social event.

Gift Shop
Online Gift Shop
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

April 27 - April 29, 2025

Oregon Museum Association 2025 Conference

TBA

Independence, Oregon

Beginning in 2025, the OMA annual conference will be held in Spring rather than Fall

The conference this year is all about trying new things. We are hoping to organize the conference into the following four tracks: Collections Care, Leadership, Emergency Preparedness, and Tourism

Check our website for more details in early 2025

The OMA newsletter is emailed every month with updates on OMA events, museum news, other events, trainings, jobs, grants and more for the museum community in Oregon.

For more information, please email connect@oregonmuseums.org.

October 1 - October 4, 2025

Western Museums Association’s (WMA) 2025 Annual Meeting

TBA

Reno, Nevada

Save the Date for WMA 202

As we celebrate our 90th anniversary, join us to build relationships and soar higher than ever before. With the theme of ELEVATE, WMA 2025 will explore ways to lift up the experiences of cultural professionals and the communities they serve.

In Reno, Nevada, 4,400 feet above sea level, we will forward the progress of museums by looking to the future.

May 6 - May 9, 2025

2025 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) ANNUAL MEETING & MUSEUMEXPO

Los Angeles Convention Center

Los Angeles, California

AAM 2025 will focus on the theme, Museums & Trust.

Museums have long inspired high levels of public trust, surpassing news outlets, government organizations, researchers and scientists, corporations, and social media platforms. This consistent finding underscores our institutions’ unique position in society as stewards of knowledge, culture, science, and history—areas where credibility and reliability are paramount

In an era marked by mistrust and misinformation, museums have a rare ability to counterbalance the proliferation of false narratives and polarized perspectives. Using our trusted position, we can cultivate a more healthy, empathetic, and informed society.

But to do so, we must maintain our credibility proactively, embracing thoughtful, transparent, and collaborative practices that will defend against influences like bias, resource challenges, abuse of power, and social injustice

An Incredible MuseumExpo

AAM is again partnering this year with the Museum Store Association to host an incredible combined expo hall. Find the most innovative services, products, and solutions in the museum field. With 350 exhibitors, you are bound to find the right partner for your museum’s current challenges and opportunities.

May 5 - May 9, 2025

Museum Store Association FORWARD 2025 in LA

The Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, California

Join MSA in LA

We’re excited about our next MSA FORWARD Conference & Expo in “The City of Angels” – Los Angeles, California in conjunction with the American Alliance of Museums

Join the Museum Store Association (MSA) and hundreds of nonprofit retail professionals for the 70th Annual MSA FORWARD Retail Conference & Expo, taking place May 5-9, 2025 at The Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California

Once again, MSA FORWARD will be held in conjunction with the 2025 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Annual Meeting & Expo

Learn best practices and new ideas for store merchandising, operations, marketing, and sale

Participate in dedicated networking events and create connections that will inspire new ideas

Meet with over 200 MSA vendors about your product needs

Hear from knowledgeable industry experts during session breakouts and keynote presentations

Network with AAM attendees and exhibitor

September 10 - September 13, 2025

2025 Am Assoc for State and Local History Annual Conference

TBD

Cincinnati, Ohio

The 2025 AASLH Annual Conference, in partnership with Ohio Local History Alliance, will take place as the history field makes the final preparations to kickoff off the 250th commemoration of the founding of the United States.

The 2025 conference theme, inspired by AASLH’s Making History at 250: The Field Guide for Semiquincentennial, is an opportunity to broadly explore one of the guide’s themes, The American Experiment. For many in the American colonies in 1776, independence from Britain represented a “leap into the dark” into an unknown future

We are excited for you to join us in Cincinnati as we encourage discussion about our democracy and civic institutions and how they can help strengthen understanding, inspire action, and reveal ways that all of us can participate in and shape the ongoing American experiment.

For more information, please call 615-320-3203 or email info@aaslh.org.

RECENT UPDATES

Museums

04/09 Museum of Man in the Sea

Panama City Beach, Florida

04/09 The Mariners' Museum and Park

Newport News, Virginia

04/08 Roundhouse Museum

Egg Harbor City, New Jersey

04/08 Lake Wales History Museum

Lake Wales, Florida

04/04 Taylor Museum of Waco and McLennan County History

Waco, Texas

Museum Associations

04/03 Florida Association of Museums

Tallahassee, Florida