Video: ‘Rockne: Life and Legacy’ exhibit about Notre Dame coach’s life
Listen to Emily Demler, exhibits coordinator at The History Museum, explain some of the items from Knute Rockne’s life in the museum’s exhibit.
- A fedora once worn by legendary Notre Dame coach Knute Rockne is on display at The History Museum in South Bend.
- The hat is part of the “Rockne: Life & Legacy” exhibit, which features the most extensive collection of his artifacts ever assembled.
- The exhibit explores Rockne’s career, during which he led the Fighting Irish to three national championships.
SOUTH BEND — A fedora once worn by legendary University of Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne is now on display at The History Museum, 897 Thomas St.
According to a press release, the hat is part of the “Rockne: Life & Legacy” exhibit.
The fedora has been authenticated and is on loan to the museum from Richard Anthony Batt and his sisters, Jennifer and Deborah, in memory of their father, Richard Adams Batt. The hat originally belonged to Maurice Vennet, who was the great-great-uncle of the lenders.
Vennet came to possess the fedora after an accidental hat swap at an Elks Club meeting in South Bend.
Both Vennet and Rockne attended the meeting and left with each other’s hats, which were similar in color and style. When Rockne’s office informed Vennet of the mix-up, Vennet suggested they keep the other’s hat, calling it a trade.
“Rockne: Life & Legacy” explores the life and career of Rockne, who served as the head football coach at Notre Dame from 1918 to 1931. During his tenure, Rockne led the Fighting Irish to 105 victories, 12 losses, 5 ties, and three national championships before his death March 31, 1931, in an airplane crash.
The exhibit features the most extensive collection of Rockne artifacts ever assembled for public viewing, according to the release. In addition to the fedora, visitors can view personal items, photographs and memorabilia that showcase Rockne’s impact on college football and Notre Dame.
Established in 1867, The History Museum features seven exhibit galleries and three historic houses. The 38-room Copshaholm, completed in 1897, was once home to J.D. and Anna Oliver and their four children. The Worker’s Home tells the story of a 1950s African American family, while the Navarre Cabin is the oldest structure in St. Joseph County.
The museum also serves as a research center with a collection of over 600,000 artifacts. It is the national repository for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which was featured in the film “A League of Their Own.”
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Tours of the museum’s Oliver Mansion and Worker’s Home are available at 1 and 2 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and 1 and 2:30 p.m. Sundays.
Admission is $11-$7; free for members and ages 5 and younger.
For more information, call 574-235-9664 or visit historymuseumsb.org.
This story was created by reporter Cheryl Morey, [email protected], with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
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