This summer, in addition to its award-winning main exhibition, the National Constitution Center will host Sports: Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers from May 26, 2006 through August 20, 2006. The exhibit also features an exclusive National Constitution Center created section, Local Legends, as a tribute to Philadelphia's own hometown heroes.
Developed by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), Sports: Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers focuses on 35 athletes and their performances in 17 different sports. Artifacts selected emphasize such issues as women's changing roles, racial and ethnic integration, the emergence of sports celebrities and superstars, nationalism, perceptions about human physical limitations, and technological breakthroughs that enhanced performance and participation. Sports: Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers reminds visitors of all these issues that athletes encounter and the effect their personal victories, both on and off the field, exert on the nation’s consciousness.
The exhibition is divided into six main sections: Firsts, Olympians, Game Makers, More than Champions, Barrier Removers, and Superstars. Spotlighting the Smithsonian's sports collection, the exhibit includes artifacts and memorabilia from Jackie Robinson, Babe Ruth, Roberto Clemente, Gertrude Ederle, Michael Jordan, Billie Jean King, and the Miracle on Ice U.S. Hockey Team, among others. 
Local Legends
To add some Philadelphia flavor, the National Constitution Center is supplementing the exhibit with a tribute to local sports heroes and record breakers, Local Legends. This special section will include a variety of artifacts, images, and memorabilia from some of the biggest names in Philadelphia sports history, including Wilt Chamberlain, Bobby Clarke, Vince Papale, Tug McGraw, and Joe Frazier. Visitors can also explore a display of legendary sports covers from the archives of the Philadelphia Daily News
The Palestra: Cathedral of Basketball
The exhibit also features a documentary on Philadelphia's famous basketball areana, the Palestra. The Palestra: Cathedral of Basketball traces the evolution of college basketball through the rise of the most historic arena in the country. This documentary film is written, produced and directed by former University of Pennsylvania Women's Basketball Player, Mikaelyn Austin. To learn more about the film and basketball’s most storied arena, visit http://www.palestradocumentary.com/
Sports: Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers at the National Constitution Center is sponsored in part by the Philadelphia Daily News, and is free with regular museum admission. Audi is the exclusive national sponsor of the exhibition.
>> Learn about the exhibit on the Smithsonian Website