Our new special exhibit, Game Changer: United by Sports presented by Garry Weber, brings to life the power of sports in shaping our nation’s identity and inspiring change beyond the game through more than fifty artifacts and memorabilia – some of which have never been on display before. From Olympic gold medals to game-winning gear, each item highlights moments when sports made history as our nation took the field.
Jesse Owens’ Olympic triumph
Jesse Owens’ victories at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games remain one of the most historically significant achievements in sports. Competing in front of German dictator Adolf Hitler and the world, Owens defied both the odds and the racial ideology of Nazi Germany by winning four gold medals. His performance not only elevated the United States on the world stage but also demonstrated the power of sports to challenge injustice.
On display in Game Changer are two of Jesse Owens’ four gold medals from the 1936 Olympics, along with his participation medal. Despite immense pressure, Owens broke world records in all four events he competed in, becoming the first athlete to win four gold medals in a single Olympic Games.
Jackie Robinson’s mission beyond baseball
When Jackie Robinson joined the Montreal Royals (the farm team for the Brooklyn Dodgers) in 1946, and again in 1947 when he joined the Dodgers, he broke the color barrier in American baseball.
On display in Game Changer through February 2026 is Robinson’s 1946 American Baseball Bureau questionnaire, which offers a compelling glimpse into his vision for the future of the game. This standard form was used for players entering the major leagues from the 1940s through the 1970s. While most players listed personal goals like playing in the World Series or for a particular team, Robinson’s answer reflected his far greater mission: “to open the doors for Negroes in organized ball.” Completed just months after his monumental meeting with Brooklyn Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey, the document stands as a testament to Robinson’s role in transforming the game and American society.
In Game Changer, you’ll also see a glove Robinson used as a Dodger, alongside the bat he swung to hit his iconic home run during the 1952 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. These artifacts tell a story not only of athletic greatness but also of social progress through America’s pastime.
Melissa Stockwell’s road to Paralympic glory
Melissa Stockwell made history as the first Iraq War U.S. Army veteran to qualify for the Paralympic Games after losing her leg in active combat in 2004. Stockwell is now a four-time Paralympian, having competed in the 2008 Beijing, 2016 Rio de Janeiro (where she won a bronze medal in paratriathlon), 2020 Tokyo, and 2024 Paris Games. One of the prosthetic legs she used in competition is displayed as a powerful symbol of resilience, the strength of female athletes, and the continued progress of adaptive sports.
Step into the moments that changed the game
The George W. Bush Presidential Center brings these and many other stories to life in Game Changer: United by Sports presented by Garry Weber, opening Sept. 6 at the Bush Museum. This all-new exhibit features five galleries, each highlighting a different aspect of the national story. We invite you to visit and reflect on these stories, not just as fans, but as a nation shaped by these moments.
Members are invited to an exclusive preview of the exhibit on Friday, Sept. 5. Be among the first to see rare artifacts and memorabilia up close. Don’t miss a moment – become a member today.
The exhibit opens to the public on Saturday, Sept. 6, and will run through Jan. 2027. Plan your visit today.
