SSAAM to Open “All Stars: Black Baseball in New Jersey and Beyond” this August

Skillman, NJ — The Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (SSAAM) proudly announces its newest exhibit, All Stars: Black Baseball in New Jersey and Beyond, which will open with a special reception on Friday, August 8, 2025, at 183 Hollow Road, Skillman, NJ.

This powerful installation highlights the stories, struggles, and triumphs of African American baseball players who shaped the game against the backdrop of segregation and exclusion. The exhibit includes never-before-seen letters from Paul “Beetle” Arnold of Pennington, NJ, a standout player in the Negro Leagues. At the opening reception, SSAAM will also premiere an original short film featuring the oral histories of community members who knew Arnold, Brooklyn Dodgers star Roy Campanella, and other local baseball legends. Through personal artifacts, photographs, and first-hand accounts, All Stars explores the rich legacy of Black baseball in New Jersey and beyond. It honors the Black ballplayers who built their own leagues, followed their own paths, and challenged the norms of America’s pastime with both skill and spirit.

“There was a different kind of baseball,” says Patricia Payne, SSAAM Board member and lifelong baseball fan. “ Part of that would be base-stealing and speed of the game that showed off their talent. Unfortunately, this talent was never allowed to fully participate in the major leagues.”

SSAAM invites the public to join in this celebration of resilience and athletic excellence.

• Opening Reception:
  Friday, August 8, 2025 | 6:30 PM
  183 Hollow Road, Skillman, NJ 08558
  Tickets: ssaamuseum.org/all-stars-exhibit

• Free Open Hours:
  Saturday, August 9, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  Exhibit on view at Mt. Zion AME Church
  189 Hollow Road, Skillman, NJ 08558

This exhibit was developed by SSAAM with generous support from the Somerset Patriots, honoring the enduring impact of Black athletes and the stories that deserve to be told.

For more information and to reserve your spot, visit: ssaamuseum.org/all-stars-exhibit

About SSAAM:
The Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum is Central New Jersey’s first museum dedicated to African American history. Located at the Mt. Zion AME Church in Skillman, NJ, SSAAM is committed to preserving and sharing the stories of African Americans in the Sourland Mountain region and beyond.

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