The New Jersey Hall of Fame has begun construction on its custom-built 10,000-square-foot space coming to American Dream, the entertainment, shopping and dining destination located in the heart of the New Jersey Meadowlands.
The forthcoming Entertainment and Learning Center (ELC) will be located on the third floor of American Dream in the epicenter of its premier entertainment and retail offering, near Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, the award-winning DreamWorks Water Park, the country’s only Toys“R”Us flagship, and IT’SUGAR.
“American Dream is filled with attractions, shops and restaurants that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, let alone the state. It’s truly a source of pride for the great state of New Jersey, and therefore it’s only fitting for the NJHOF to open its Entertainment and Learning Center here. It will round out our exceptional entertainment, retail and dining options, making American Dream an unmatched destination for indoor family fun,” said Don Ghermezian, CEO of American Dream.
“American Dream is a one-of-a-kind destination and a New Jersey icon, making it the ideal location for our state-of-the-art center. The Entertainment and Learning Center will be one of the ultimate symbols of Jersey pride where we will be able to celebrate our great state and all the contributions made by its many illustrious residents,” said Hall of Fame Chairman Jon F. Hanson.
The ELC will feature exhibits and highly immersive experiences to celebrate the Garden State, as well as inductees of the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
“All of the exhibits within the ELC will allow visitors to explore their passions through the significant achievements and contributions made by each of our inductees,” said president of the Hall of Fame Steve Edwards. “It’s a place where we can take pride in our Jersey grit; and where we can all, including our children, be inspired to realize our highest and best sense of selves. I couldn’t imagine a more fitting home for NJHOF than one of New Jersey’s top destinations.”
Visitors will first be greeted by life-size replica of NJHOF inductees welcoming them into the ELC, before moving onto the Hometown Exhibit, where they can embark on a virtual reality journey in a classic car with a Hall of Fame inductee, visiting their hometowns, school, home and favorite restaurant.
The new facility will also feature the historic Model “T” Ford car gifted by Henry Ford to Hall of Fame inductee Thomas Edison in 1933. The two famously embarked on road trips throughout the country in Model Ts, becoming great friends along the way.
And while you can’t take a ride in original Model T Ford, patrons will be able to climb aboard a replica of the car and take an epic ride with the “Fly Me to the Moon” motion simulator. Former astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly will narrate the experience of New Jersey’s many contributions to the field of science.
Meanwhile, the Great Hall in the ELC will contain the Wall of Fame, composed of artifacts and plaques celebrating each of the more than 200 inductees, as well as Everyday Heroes, focusing on the achievements of New Jersey citizens. Patrons can also hop on stage and sing-along some of music’s biggest legends, including Gloria Gaynor and Frankie Valli, or play a late-night host and interview some of their favorite stars.
With construction underway, the Entertainment and Learning Center is working towards an expected completion of Spring 2023.
