Foxborough, Mass. - Less than two days after The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon announced that South Dakota was the only state yet to have a resident visit the first-of-its-kind sports and entertainment experience in Foxborough, Mass., a South Dakotan has checked in.
On Wednesday, The Hall at Patriot Place announced that it was hoping a South Dakota resident would visit to complete the 50 states, offering as incentive an autographed mini helmet from Adam Vinatieri, the former Patriot and three-time Super Bowl winning kicker who hails from South Dakota.
Jezelle Ryan of Sioux Falls, S.D. was visiting family in Marblehead, Mass. today when a colleague at home called to tell her to race to Patriot Place. Ryan, a student at the University of Minnesota, collected her prize and toured The Hall with her family.
"Over the last two days we have heard from other South Dakotans who had visited The Hall since it opened last September, but weren't officially registered when they checked in. So it turns out South Dakotan Patriots fans have been supporting us all along," said Bryan Morry, executive director of The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon. "We're glad to learn that there are so many Patriots fans in South Dakota, and we hope many more will have the opportunity to visit The Hall soon."
The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon, adjacent to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., contains 36,000 square feet of interactive exhibits and rare artifacts, including the Patriots' three Lombardi trophies. Among the signature exhibits at The Hall is one that allows visitors to relive Vinatieri's historic 45-yard field goal through driving snow on Jan. 19, 2002 to send the Patriots into overtime against the Oakland Raiders in the divisional playoffs.
The interactive exhibit features a climate-controlled dome that drops in temperature upon entry and creates the effect of a snow globe while a video presentation highlights Vinatieri's kick. There is also an interactive kicking exhibit where fans can try to make the famous field goal for themselves.
ABOUT THE HALL AT PATRIOT PLACE PRESENTED BY RAYTHEON
The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon is the crown jewel of Patriot Place and the only sports and education experience of its kind. Through a dazzling array of interactive multimedia exhibits and artifacts never before viewable by the public, The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon showcases the tradition of the New England Patriots, explores the history of football in New England, and promotes math and science education for thousands of schoolchildren each year. In 2009, The Hall received a Gold MUSE Award from the American Association of Museums, was named to Boston Globe Magazine's Best of the New, and was a Yankee magazine Editor's Choice recommendation. For more information, please visit www.patriot-place.com/thehall.
