6 Great Halls of Fame Honoring Inventors, Mascots, Cowgirls, and More

Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting, Phoenix, Arizona

Perhaps the country’s most cleverly named hall of fame, Phoenix’s Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting is a tribute to the heroes who fight fires and keep communities safe. Originally established in 1961 in Wisconsin, the museum houses firefighting equipment from as far back as 1725 across six impressive galleries, a theater, and a restoration shop. In addition to 130 fire trucks and vehicles, the galleries are also home to gear, tools, equipment, extinguishers, art, and artifacts from numerous countries. There are also hands-on exhibits and programs that teach kids about fire safety.

Perhaps most notably, the museum houses the National Firefighting Hall of Heroes. The space recognizes U.S. firefighters who have received awards for heroism, as well as those who have died in the line of duty. It also includes a tribute to the firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11, and exhibits detailing the work of women firefighters and volunteer firefighters.

International Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport, Rhode Island

Housed within the historic Newport Casino — a Shingle-style athletic complex on Newport’s Bellevue Avenue that dates back to 1880 — the International Tennis Hall of Fame overlooks 13 grass tennis courts. These aren’t just any courts, though — they hosted the earliest U.S. Open tournaments in the late 19th century and are now open for public play.

Inside, the Hall of Fame celebrates more than 250 tennis champions and some of the sport’s most iconic matches. You’ll also find a vast collection of modern and antique tennis artifacts ranging from art and apparel to equipment and trophies. The oldest bits of ephemera date back to the 12th century, but thoroughly modern exhibits celebrating the game include video highlights of more contemporary masters such as Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, and Billie Jean King.

National Inventors Hall of Fame, Alexandria, Virginia

Located within the campus of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the National Inventors Hall of Fame highlights the work of more than 500 inventors, engineers, and scientists who hold patents to significant technologies. There are exhibits about well-known inventors such as Thomas Edison and Steve Jobs, of course, but the real magic is in discovering the less-famous folks behind the stuff we use every day — think ballpoint pens, wrinkle-free cotton, FM radios, and the Band-Aid.

Free to visit, the museum includes a digital portrait gallery where you can learn more about the inductees’ lives and accomplishments, a variety of displayed artifacts, and interactive kiosks that explain the processes of trademarks and patents. And in an effort to support the next generation of inventors, the facility also offers programming for youths — including a summer camp and partnerships for college students.

Mascot Hall of Fame, Whiting, Indiana

David Raymond is the original Phillie Phanatic — the fluffy green creature representing the Philadelphia Phillies Major League Baseball team. He’s also behind Whiting’s Mascot Hall of Fame, an interactive children’s museum on the shores of Lake Michigan. The facility offers 25,000 square feet of fun for kids of all ages. Shoot T-shirts out of a cannon, build your own mascot, or take the stage in a mascot audition — the space is a whimsical wonderland devoted to the mascots of North American sports.

While the museum is relatively new, having opened in 2018, the organization behind it has been honoring mascots since 2005. Each year, mascots are nominated across a series of categories from various sports and leagues. Only those that have existed for 10 years or more — and routinely give groundbreaking, crowd-pleasing, and inspiring performances — are eligible for induction.

National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, Fort Worth, Texas

Located in the Will Rogers Memorial Complex in Fort Worth’s Cultural District, alongside the Cattle Raisers Museum and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame spans 33,000 square feet, all in tribute to the women of the American West and other female trailblazers. The Hall of Fame, which inducts new honorees each year, spotlights a diverse roster of rodeo champions, ranchers, entertainers, artists, writers, and pioneers — women such as Georgia O’Keefe, Sacagawea, Sandra Day O’Connor, Annie Oakley, and Dale Evans.

In addition to the Hall of Fame, visitors can peruse a rare photography collection, rodeo memorabilia, interactive exhibits on ranching and land stewardship, and a study on cowgirls in the media — think dime novels, honky tonk music, and Hollywood Westerns.

Corvette Hall of Fame, Bowling Green, Kentucky

Not many cars have their very own hall of fame and museum, but the Chevrolet Corvette is one of the most famous vehicles ever produced. Located just across the highway from the only GM factory that produces the sports cars, the National Corvette Museum features a racing simulator; a space highlighting Corvette models from each generation; a tribute to mid-century Americana, car culture, and the Corvette’s earliest days; and an exhibit on the infamous sinkhole that formed in the middle of the museum in 2014. Meanwhile, the Hall of Fame pays tribute to the most influential individuals in the history of the Corvette, from designers and engineers to hobbyists and race car drivers.