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Museum

The Texas Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame is a non-profit institution dedicated to collecting and preserving tennis history, particularly in Texas. The goal of the Museum is to celebrate and preserve the evolving story of tennis in Texas while providing role models through the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame. We provide a place where every tennis player – from occasional recreational to professional players – can connect with the game's history and learn about its impact on social and cultural life in Texas and the nation.

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The Texas Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame was started by Charlie and Emadele McCleary in 1981. Under the McClearys, the Museum began inducted members to the Hall of Fame and collecting early tennis artifacts. 

In the early 1990s, the McClearys collaborated with other state-wide museum boards to establish the Texas Sports Hall of Fame Complex near Baylor University. The complex opened its doors in 1993, with the Tennis Museum occupying approximately 2,000 square feet of space.

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During this period, Charlie McCleary facilitated several significant donations to the Museum, including a substantial collection from Dallas resident Lamar Hunt. The Hunt collection, which features photographs, documents, and artifacts from the World Championship Tennis tournament held in Dallas from 1972 to 1989, is partially on display today.

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In 2002, the Museum began offering educational programs in local schools and created small traveling exhibits for tennis events in Dallas, Houston, and other locations. Past programs have included essay contests with the Waco Library and Regional Tennis Center, reading initiatives, and guided tours of the Museum. In 2004, the Museum moved its stored collections to a better facility with enhanced climate control to ensure the preservation of its valuable tennis materials.

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In 2013, the board of directors entered into a maintenance agreement with the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. This partnership gave the Museum access to a dedicated team, including a full-time executive director, curator, collections manager, and additional staff to help manage the tennis space. The board also approved a complete redesign and renovation of the 2,000-square-foot space, leading to a successful Capital Campaign in 2014 that raised $500,000 for the project. The museum was closed from June to November 2015, and the space underwent a significant transformation.

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In 2016, the board launched a comprehensive strategic planning process to guide the Museum’s continued revitalization. This effort culminated in a new strategic plan, which includes six key initiatives supported by a revised mission and vision. The Museum’s new mission—“to celebrate and preserve the evolving story of tennis in Texas”—is the foundation for its ongoing work. The new vision—to become “a recognized destination that inspires a sense of place and history among generations of tennis enthusiasts”—serves as the collective goal for the Texas Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame's future.

July 3, 1981 - Ribbon cutting of the original museum on Jefferson Street in Waco. 

1983 Hall of Fame Induction Banquet

Entrance into the Hall of Fame Inductee Gallery at the renovated Museum. 

 

 

The History of the Museum
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