New Jersey Hall of Fame Breaks Ground at American Dream Mall

The New Jersey Hall of Fame will soon find its new home at the American Dream Mall, with construction on its custom-built 10,000-square-foot space at the New Jersey Meadowlands now underway.

The space will feature Hall of Fame inductees from the last 14 years, including 2022’s  class of inductees from former Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski to comedian Chelsea Handler, and singer-songwriter and drummer Max Weinberg–who are set to be inducted in a virtual ceremony this fall. The ceremony will return to in person in 2023, the Hall said.

When completed, 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, check out the the historic Model “T” Ford car gifted by Henry Ford to Hall of Fame inductee Thomas Edison in 1933, and more.

“The New Jersey Hall of Fame is the perfect place to house the Ford Model T, a great piece of Americana and owned by the New Jersey Hall of Fame’s very first Inductee and New Jersey resident Thomas Edison” said John Keegan, Chairman of the Edison Innovation Foundation.

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.

The NJHOF broke ground this week for the forthcoming Entertainment and Learning Center (ELC) will be located on the third floor of American Dream, near Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, the award-winning Dream Works Water Park, the country’s only Toys“R”Us flagship, and IT’SUGAR – the world’s first and only candy department store.

“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.

“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.

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 on the hologram karaoke 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.