Donate Today and Be a Part of History!

Your contribution will help us:

Preserve Art Pennington's Legacy:

Ensure that Art's story continues to inspire future generations.

Educate and Inspire:

Foster a deeper understanding of civil rights history and baseball's diverse past.

Create a Community Hub:

Establish a space that celebrates Cedar Rapids' rich cultural heritage.

Donate Here!

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The Art Pennington Baseball & Civil Rights Museum

This museum will be more than a tribute to a baseball hero. It will be a space that educates and inspires future generations. Visitors will learn about Art's remarkable baseball career, his fight for civil rights, and his enduring influence on Cedar Rapids. The museum will foster a deeper understanding of civil rights history and the rich diversity of baseball's past.

Art "Superman" Penningtion

Art Pennington (1923-2017) was a legendary baseball player whose achievements transcended the diamond. A Negro League Baseball All-Star, he also played professionally in Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Canada, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico, leaving his mark on the international game.

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A Pioneer in Baseball and Civil Rights

Art's impact extended far beyond baseball. He was a champion for civil rights who defied segregation by playing against white major leaguers in exhibition games and alongside them in Latin American winter leagues. He and his wife Anita defied societal norms with their interracial marriage, illegal at the time in the United States. Art also opened the Home Run Club in Cedar Rapids, a private, mixed-race establishment that broke racial barriers in the community. Learn more about this Civil Rights Pioneer and Negro League Baseball All*Star.

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