Explore the Home of Tennis Greats
When your groups are ready to take to the court again, the International Tennis Hall of Fame is ready—offering plenty of historic exhibits and group-friendly options any tennis-loving group will find enjoyable.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame, set in The Newport Casino, is a National Historic Landmark that was first opened on July 26, 1880, as a social club for Newport's turn-of-the-century summer elite. The Hall of Fame is home to a museum that chronicles the history of tennis, the only professional-level grass-court tournament held in the United States, and the Hall of Fame Tennis Club, where members and visitors can play on the grass courts during the summer or hard courts year-round.
The museum, which has nearly 2,000 artifacts on display, guides visitors through the rich history of the sport and the players who have defined the game. Tours could be self-guided, audio-guided or taken with a knowledgeable docent.
Check out these exhibits worth exploring!
THE ASHE '68 VR EXPERIENCE
In 2020, the Ashe '68 exhibit, which uses virtual reality to tell the story of Arthur Ashe and his historic 1968 U.S. Open win, will move to its new home inside the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The exhibit presents groups with the tumultuous cultural challenges faced by Ashe as he navigated the world of professional tennis in a racially charged society. The eight-minute documentary uses 3D stop-motion sand animation, video recreations and historic archival video to tell the story.
THE ORIGINAL 9
2020 marks the 50th anniversary of The Original 9—a group of professional women tennis players who banded together to stand up for equality and started their own professional-level tournament. The museum will open an exhibit to commemorate the anniversary and celebrate these women's commitment to the sport.
While visiting, groups could step back in time and party like the Vanderbilt's in one of the International Tennis Hall of Fame's unique and beautiful venues overlooking the palatial grounds. Lawn games offer groups a fun way to experience the courts—even if they don't play tennis! Group lessons are available with a club pro, while the ITHF has Cornhole, Giant Jenga and Croquet available to rent with event spaces.
Learn more at International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Courtesy of International Tennis Hall of Fame.
