The Cincinnati Reds recently debuted their newly renovated Reds Hall of Fame and Museum presented by Dinsmore, to celebrate 150 years of Reds baseball. Designed in partnership with FRCH NELSON, the $5 million-dollar renovation refreshed the over 15,000 square feet of the largest team Hall of Fame in all of Major League Baseball. 

The previous Reds Hall of Fame had been operating since 2004 and was in need of a more organized and engaging visitor experience. The new space was scripted to offer a modern-day interpretation of the Cincinnati Reds historical journey as baseball’s first professional team. FRCH NELSON helped to elevate the narrative by rearranging the museum’s collection in a progressive order and enhancing the experience by incorporating environmental graphics, adding new artifacts, and integrating touchscreen technology to increase guest engagement.

“It was an honor to be a part of such a monumental project, not only for the city of Cincinnati, but for Major League Baseball. Partnering with such a committed and visionary team as the Cincinnati Reds, allowed us to create a truly transformative environment where visitors can become immersed in the memorabilia, history, and stories celebrating the groundbreaking strides made by this organization,” shared Aaron Ruef, director, FRCH NELSON.

The space was reconfigured into six unique galleries that highlight different aspects of the team’s history and house over 7,000 team artifacts. The exclusive 1869 Room is dedicated to the team’s 150th anniversary, followed by a timeline gallery that allows visitors to chronologically follow both the team and player’s milestones throughout history.  

In addition to the historical elements of the Museum, there are plenty of opportunities to get hands-on, including the “Marty and Joe Broadcasting Exhibit” and a digital baseball card station where visitors can create their own personalized card. One of the most engaging aspects of the reimagined experience is the iconic 360-degree cinema plaque room. Guest-operated, the space shares the legendary stories of each and every Reds Hall of Fame inductee. Culminating the Museum experience is the “Williams Family Champions Gallery,” celebrating the team’s five World Series Championships, with amplified floor-to-ceiling media, curated memorabilia, and a flexible event bar.

“We laid a huge challenge on FRCH NELSON to renovate our Museum so that it captivates our guests in an immersive experience that tells 150 years of Reds history with displays versatile enough to showcase thousands of items from our 10,000-piece collection,” said Phil Castellini, Cincinnati Reds president and chief operating officer. “FRCH NELSON exceeded our expectations, and we are thrilled with the result.”

The renovations have given the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum a much-needed facelift and the fans a special space to celebrate their team’s 150th anniversary. The refresh is estimated to increase the museum’s attendance by nearly 15 percent in the upcoming year. The museum is open year-round to the public on both game days and non-game days, and private funding during the project has allowed kids 12 and under and active military and veterans to enter the museum for free.

About FRCH NELSON

FRCH NELSON, a NELSON brand, is a global brand experience firm delivering architecture, interior design, graphic design, branding services, and consulting services for all facets of the retail and restaurant industry, from innovation to implementation. As the retail center of excellence within NELSON, we combine over 50 years of experience with cross-functional talent and geographic reach to turn ideas into actions. Clients

FRCH NELSON was recognized as “The Design Firm of the Year” by Design:Retail and a Top 5 Global Retail Architecture Firm by Building Design + Construction, among many other accolades. Clients include Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Disney, Tiffany’s, Luxottica, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target Corporation, Hershey’s, Subway, Yum! Brands and more.

For more information, visit www.FRCHNELSON.com  

About the Reds Hall of Fame & Museum presented by Dinsmore

Driven by a mission to celebrate greatness, preserve history and provide inspiration, the Reds Hall of Fame & Museum at Great American Ball Park is the place where the story of Reds baseball comes alive each day. The newly renovated Museum features 15,000 square feet of historical, interactive and educational exhibits, highlighting the rich and storied tradition of the Reds for fans of all ages. Since its inception in 1958, 89 players, managers and executives have been honored with induction into the Reds Hall of Fame.

Plan your visit at RedsMuseum.org