"Picturing America’s Pastime" Exhibit

Greenville, S.C. – “Take me out to the…Museum?” Yes, step into the 7th inning stretch with "Picturing America’s Pastime" and explore the grandeur of the early game through the vibrancy of today’s big-league action as captured in the newest exhibition now on display at the Upcountry History Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate.

As baseball became America’s national pastime in the mid-19th century, the new art of photography was coming into its own and photographers were eager to be there to document games, players, and stadiums. "Picturing America’s Pastime" brings the sport to life in sepia, black and white, and color images. Historic quotes and detailed captions with little-known information about the players and the photographers round out this unique timeline of baseball history.

Making the only Southeastern stop of its national tour at the Upcountry History Museum, this exhibit commemorates the interconnected worlds of baseball and photography by taking visitors beyond the standard highlights of recognized names and faces of the game. Featuring 51 rarely seen photos from 1866 to 2012, "Picturing America’s Pastime" reveals the full landscape of how this game came to represent a cross-section of the nation’s growing cities, industries, and culture.

Also of special note, archival items, artifacts, and memorabilia from Greenville’s own historic relationship with baseball throughout the years will be included in this exhibit. From the early textile and minor league years at Meadowbrook and Mayberry Parks to the present with players like Shoeless Joe Jackson, Thomas Hallums, Nolan Ryan, and more, "Picturing America’s Pastime" is sure to make you “root, root, root for the home team” and remind you of the enduring appeal of the game.

Organized by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, this exhibition will be on display through January 24, 2027. Exhibition Tour Management is by Photographic Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles, California.

The Upcountry History Museum is located at 540 Buncombe St., in Greenville, S.C. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 864-467-3100 or visit www.upcountryhistory.org.