TRENTON, N.J., Dec. 3, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The accomplishments of Garden State citizens span the pages of nearly every volume of American history, and some of its finest were honored recently at the New Jersey Hall of Fame's star-studded 2014 Red Carpet Induction Ceremony. Hall of Famer Bruce Springsteen paid a surprise visit and introduced NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams, while members of The Sopranos cast were in attendance to honor the late James Gandolfini. The Class of 2014 also includes basketball star Patrick Ewing, former Governor Jim Florio and the classic girl group, The Shirelles, who were introduced by Hall of Famer Dionne Warwick.
Through the generous donations of New Jersey Hall of Fame's sponsors, these heroes will be immortalized in new displays in the New Jersey Hall of Fame Mobile Museum so a future generation of New Jersey heroes can be inspired by the power of their stories.
The newly inducted Brian Williams noted the significance of the Mobile Museum, "This is a great thing because it reminds us, living or dead, who the great ambassadors have been from New Jersey. I think the next step is getting it out there to schools and education. The traveling museum is the first step along that road."
New Jersey publishing executive, Steve Forbes commented, "The NJ Hall of Fame Mobile Museum enables all of us to get to know – and to be inspired by – notable people who have done wonderful things with their lives. This is especially important during a period where doubt and pessimism are so prevalent."
The Mobile Museum was designed by Hall of Fame inductee, celebrated architect and designer, Michael Graves, and Ralph Appelbaum Associates, renowned planner and designer of museum exhibitions. The 53-foot double-expandable trailer is transformed on location to 850 square feet of stunning exhibition space harnessing the power of images, artifacts, film and a suite of innovative interactive tools.
"The whole point of the mobile is to challenge children — and adults, for that matter — to think about what's possible, to dream. And I think our inductees prove that when you dream, and you make a plan and you work hard, and you never give up, anything is possible," said Steve Edwards, president of the New Jersey Hall of Fame Foundation board.
The New Jersey Hall of Fame Mobile Museum is available for school, non-profit, community, corporate or private events. Reservations can be made by calling (317) 580-0006 or emailing reservations@njhalloffame.org. For more information about the New Jersey Hall of Fame Mobile Museum, please contact Lisa Fielding at Lisa@NJHallofFame.org or (908) 343-3493.
About the New Jersey Hall of Fame
New Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF) honors citizens who have made invaluable contributions to society and the world beyond. Since 2008, some 80 notable people from 15 fields of human endeavor have been inducted including: Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Jack Nicholson, Susan Sarandon, Toni Morrison, Buzz Aldrin, Frankie Valli, General Norman Schwarzkopf, Tony Bennett, Queen Latifah, Carl Lewis and Yogi Berra.
The Hall of Fame reinforces the message to children that they can and should strive for excellence in any endeavor of their choosing. By presenting significant and powerful role models and teaching young people about the voting process, the Hall of Fame is a source of learning, inspiration and hope for children. The New Jersey Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization with two collaborating boards working jointly: the New Jersey Hall of Fame Board of Commissioners, administered by the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority, and the New Jersey Hall of Fame Foundation Board of Trustees. For more information on the NJHOF and a full list of the inductees, go to www.njhalloffame.org.
As a non-profit organization, New Jersey Hall of Fame thrives because of the generosity of the people of New Jersey and companies inspired by our vision. We're thankful for their inspirational leadership in helping to tell the story of New Jersey's Greatness. Major Corporate Sponsors: Aetna, Barnabas Health, BGIA, Carpenter Contractor Trust, Charles Edison Fund, CohnReznick LLP, Comcast Foundation, Diversified Systems, Edison Innovation Foundation, Horizon, Johnson & Johnson, Michael Graves & Associates, New Jersey School Boards Association Insurance Group, New Jersey Education Association, Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters, PNC Bank, PSE&G, CCT, Amper Eisner, New Jersey Manufacturers and Ralph Appelbaum Associates.