ATA HOF Museum

FYI


Phone: (937) 660-5663


Fax: (937) 660-5664


E-Mail: [email protected]


Send Postal Mail to:


Trapshooting Hall of Fame

P.O. Box 281

Vandalia, Ohio 45377

I saw the Grand when it was at Vandalia several times. Problem was I was always in a plane landing at the Dayton Airport. When I started shooting trap in 2010 I heard about the Grand in Vandalia and realized then what I saw out that jet window. I was told the event moved to Sparta. And I learned that the Hall of Fame was still at the old site by that airport.

At my club that first year I heard about a road trip taking place to go and visit Dave Berlet as one of the members of the club wanted Dave to make him a rib. We are from southern Ohio and Dave resides north of us. We would pass through Dayton on the trip. There was talk of a stop at ATA headquarters. I knew the Hall was also at the site. I asked if they had any room to take me along.
The one day trip was a crash course in the history of trap shooting. One of my fellow passengers in the car that day was a grizzled veteran trap shooter named Norm Fitch. The lesson started as we approached the Vandalia exit on I-75. Norm told us of his early days shooting at the Grand.

When we got to Dave’s house I had no idea of the reunion about to take place. I quickly found out that I was in the presence of the two ATA members with the longest attendance record at the Grand. It seems these two men are continuing every year to add numbers to a record that surely will never be broken. Perhaps Dave can respond to this thread and tell us how many years in a row he and Norm have gone as I do not remember the number. I do remember that number was astounding.

I know it took me a while to get to the meat of this post. But here it is. On the way back from Dave’s we stopped at the ATA headquarters and the HOF. When we went into the headquarters old Norm greeted all the women there by name and they responded much the same way as did the patrons at Cheers when ever Norm walked in to Sam’s bar. They all yelled “Norm”! After the catching up was concluded they let us into the museum.

For the next three hours I was memorized. I would go from exhibit to exhibit, from showcase to showcase. I soaked it all in. The pictures. The guns. I met Pumpkin and fell in love with her. I walked to the chain link fence behind the museum and saw what was left. I envisioned what had been. I did not want to leave but the all aboard was sounded. The epiphany occurred around the time we passed Middletown heading south on I-75.

I had just been shooting targets. I had no idea. It was as if I was playing baseball. But I didn’t have a clue as to the name “Babe Ruth.” My day changed everything. I would no longer just shoot targets. I was now in a sport. I knew a history.

There are lots of guys like me out there. We are the new shooters. We are the survival of the sport. We are also the future. And what kind of future can there be when we lose history and have nothing to look back on.

I hope the ATA gets its act together and brings the HOF Museum back to life.



Doc


P.S. Subliminal message to ATA EC.... we new guys do not like dumbed up targets and trinkets.

~~~Who knows how far into the future it will be before guns and shooting sports are no longer allowed and soon forgotten. ~~ Good point Karla !

Leo and you are really going the extra mile for this cause, and thank you. I can see Leo shooting doubles from this trap..LOL

I'm afraid that this could be a very "possible" happening in the statement Karla made, and to build a museum on "leased" property would be something any good business man would not want to do. IF, and I say "IF" there were that possibility that there would be no more Grand in Sparta, how would the HOF get their money out of the building sitting on leased land ?

Sad, very sad situation. I try not to look negative towards the new museum, but it's difficult knowing it may be placed on Leased Land controlled by the State of Illinois. I HOPE that the THOF Board would be looking to at least buy the land the building would sit on from the State.

Had the museum been built out side the Cardinal Center on a major highway, it would continue to draw people in, just to see what was done with guns in the Yesteryear, and be on land that would be deeded to the THOF. Whether that offer by Mr. Fishburn would still stand is anyone's guess. As of now, it looks like a mute point anyway.

The THOF is / was a wonderful collection of shooting sports memorabelia, it needs to be before the public eyes, and perhaps not for just a two week showing each year.

I am a supporter of the THOF, and wish them well in whatever direction they choose to take. I don't believe it's too late to change one's mind on location. A lot would hinge on the "Lease" contract as to the building placed on it in Sparta.

Since the passing of the late Dr. H. Lynn Parsons, does anyone know if the Trapshooting Hall of Fame has replaced him on the Board of Trustees ?

Dave in SC