American Dream's next attraction: New Jersey Hall of Fame museum coming to mall
The Meadowlands, an iconic piece of New Jersey real estate, will soon be home to a permanent tribute to Garden State icons.
A new museum dedicated to New Jersey legends − from inventor Thomas Edison to disco diva Gloria Gaynor and astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly − is coming to the American Dream mall and entertainment complex in East Rutherford, the business announced this week.
The New Jersey Hall of Fame has started construction on a 10,000 square-foot Entertainment and Learning Center at the complex, with an expected opening next spring, according to the announcement. Visitors will be greeted by life-size replicas of the Hall's more than 200 inductees as well as virtual reality attractions and exhibits on New Jerseyans' major contributions to science, arts, culture and society at large.
“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 Hall of Fame President Steve Edwards. “It’s a place where we can take pride in our Jersey grit.”
Admission is expected to cost $15 for children, $20 for New Jersey adults and $25 for adults from out of state.
Hall of Fame spokesperson Natasha Alagarasan declined to disclose a price tag for the center Wednesday, but said it would be funded by $16 million the Hall has raised from a variety of projects. American Dream's announcement said Hackensack Meridian Health would be a "lead sponsor" of the center.
The exhibits will include a historic Model T Ford given by Henry Ford to Edison, who was inducted into the Hall in 1933. The two legendary industrialists "famously embarked on road trips throughout the country," according to the American Dream announcement.
More:New Food Hall at American Dream Mall debuts: Take a look inside
A meme come true: Spirit Halloween opening at American Dream mall
A Hometown Exhibit will include a virtual reality car ride with inductees, with a focus on the towns where they grew up and went to school and even their favorite restaurants. Visitors will also be able to jump on a hologram karaoke stage and sing along with Garden State musical icons like Gaynor and Frankie Valli. The stage will also be the setting for virtual late-night talk show interviews with Garden State greats.
The 3 million-square-foot business has struggled with financial losses and empty storefronts since opening right before the start of the coronavirus pandemic. But it's also had recent successes, like the opening of a restaurant by YouTube sensation MrBeast that drew thousands last month.
The Hall of Fame fits with the mall's strategy of offering entertainment and recreation options to complement its retail offerings. American Dream also features a 300-foot tall Ferris wheel, indoor water park and ski slope. It's announced plans for The Game Room arcade powered by Hasbro; and the Skip Barber Racing Go-Kart Academy.
“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,” added Don Ghermezian, CEO of the mall’s Edmonton-based owner Triple Five.
Daniel Munoz covers business, consumer affairs, labor and the economy for NorthJersey.com and The Record.
Email: munozd@northjersey.com; Twitter: @danielmunoz100
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ Hall of Fame building museum at American Dream mall in Meadowlands
