The Muhammad Ali Center is a non-profit museum and cultural center dedicated to boxer
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali (; born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.; January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016) was an American professional boxer and social activist. A global cultural icon, widely known by the nickname "The Greatest", he is often regarded as the gr ...
in
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the List of cities in Kentucky, most populous city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, sixth-most populous city in the Southeastern United States, Southeast, and the list of United States cities by population, 27th-most-populous city ...
. Ali, a native of Louisville, and his wife Lonnie Ali founded the museum in 2005.
The six-story, museum is located in the city's
West Main District. It opened on November 19, 2005, at a cost of $80 million.
["Fact sheet." ''Muhammad Ali Center'', Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville] It also includes a two-level
amphitheater
An amphitheatre ( U.S. English: amphitheater) is an open-air venue used for entertainment, performances, and sports. The term derives from the ancient Greek ('), from ('), meaning "on both sides" or "around" and ('), meaning "place for vie ...
and a plaza.
On April 4, 2013, a new pedestrian bridge opened, helping residents and visitors connect from the Muhammad Ali Center's plaza to the Belvedere, the Waterfront, and other downtown attractions. The 170-foot-long walkway is nine feet wide, with exterior metal panels that complement the Ali Center plaza's design.
History
In 2020, the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville and the SEEK Museum in
Russellville were added to the U.S. Civil Rights Trail.
Description
The cultural center features exhibitions regarding Ali's six core principles of confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, respect, and spirituality. Throughout his life, Muhammad Ali strived to be guided by these core principles in his quest to inspire people around the world, dedicating himself to helping others, being the best athlete he could be and by standing up for what he believed in.
An orientation theater helps present Ali's life. A mock boxing ring is recreated based on his
Deer Lake Training Camp
A training camp is an organized period in which military personnel or athletes participate in a rigorous and focused schedule of training in order to learn or improve skills. Athletes typically utilise training camps to prepare for upcoming events ...
. A two-level pavilion, housed within a large elliptical room, features Ali's
boxing
Boxing is a combat sport and martial art. Taking place in a boxing ring, it involves two people – usually wearing protective equipment, such as boxing glove, protective gloves, hand wraps, and mouthguards – throwing Punch (combat), punch ...
memorabilia and history. A large projector displays the film ''
The Greatest'' onto a full-sized boxing ring. There are also booths where visitors can view clips of Ali's greatest fights on
video-on-demand
Video on demand (VOD) is a media distribution system that allows users to access videos, television shows and films digitally on request. These multimedia are accessed without a traditional video playback device and a typical static broadcasting ...
terminals, which also feature pre- and post-fight interviews.
Another exhibit offers visitors the chance to explore sense of self, others and purpose through an interactive terminal program. Visitors are encouraged to share what they are fighting for in the Generation Ali Story Booths
Two art galleries, the
LeRoy Neiman Gallery and the
Howard L. Bingham Gallery, feature rotating exhibits that are located on the third floor.
Gallery
AliMedalOfFreedom.jpg, Ali's Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award of the United States, alongside the Congressional Gold Medal. It is an award bestowed by decision of the president of the United States to "any person recommended to the President ...
on display
Muhammad Ali Center - Spirituality.jpg
See also
*
*
List of museums focused on African Americans
This is a list of museums in the United States whose primary focus is on African American culture and history. Such museums are commonly known as African American museums. According to scholar Raymond Doswell, an African American museum is "an i ...
*
List of museums in the Louisville metropolitan area
This is a list of museums, galleries and interpretive centers in the Louisville metropolitan area.
Art
* 21c Museum Hotel
* Carnegie Center for Art & History (New Albany, Indiana)
* KMAC Museum
* Speed Art Museum
Regional history
* ...
References
External links
*
{{Muhammad Ali
2005 establishments in Kentucky
African-American museums in Kentucky
Ali, Muhammed
Boxing museums and halls of fame
Memorials to Muhammad Ali
Museums established in 2005
Museums in Louisville, Kentucky
Personal development
Sports museums in Kentucky