Founded
by the National Hockey League and the Canadian Amateur Hockey
Association on September 10, 1943 - Kingston's International 
Hockey
Hall of Fame and Museum is the "Original Hockey Hall of Fame"
and the oldest sports hall of fame in Canada. Captain
James T. Sutherland of Kingston spearheaded the bid to bring the
Hockey Hall of Fame to Kingston and was inducted into the hall
in 1947 - one of the first forty-two members inducted into the
hall during the Kingston-era.
Capt.
Sutherland died in 1955 and never realized his dream of seeing
the hall of fame built in Kingston. Fifteen-years after awarding
the Hall of Fame to Kingston, N.H.L. President Clarence Campbell
withdrew support in 1958 and Toronto is awarded the hall of fame.
Despite a major setback, the Kingston organizing committee moves
forward and the International Hockey Hall of Fame is finally opened
in 1965 in a brand new building on the Kingston Memorial Centre
grounds at the corner of York & Alfred Streets.
In 1992, an agreement is reached with the International Ice Hockey
Federation to have the Kingston shrine become the International
Ice Hockey Federation Museum. That partnership was abandoned in
1997 and since that time the Kingston hall has been known as the
International Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum.
On
January 1, 2003 - we officially changed our operating name back
to International Hockey Hall of Fame in part to help celebrate
our 60th anniversary celebrations in 2003.
A HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY HALL OF FAME:
1943
- Kingston chosen site of the Hockey Hall of Fame after City of
Kingston initiative.
1945 - Mayor Stuart Crawford elected president of International
Hockey Hall of Fame.
1947
- Provincial Secretary issues Charter to Hockey Hall of Fame under
the Ontario Corporation Act (Sept. 17).
1961
- Mayor William T. Mills signs bylaw authorizing construction
and management of Hall of Fame building.
1962
- $132,000 contract awarded by City for construction of the building
at York and Alfred streets. Hockey Hall of Fame board contributes
$70,000.
1963
- City Council grants $10,000 for purchase of equipment and furnishings.
1965
- International Hockey Hall of Fame opens doors for first time.
1977
- International Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum board assumes complete
control of the building.
1987
- IIHFM asks Mayor John Gerretsen and City Council to appoint
Task Force to study future of hockey museum.
1989
- Mayor Helen Cooper appoints IHHFM Review Task Force.
1991 - Three-way partnership between IIHF, IHHFM and the
City of Kingston approved in principal.
1992
- Agreement in Principal reached with International Ice Hockey
Federation to designate Kingston shrine as IIHF Museum.
1995
- NHL and Hall of Fame, Toronto, recognizes the IIHFM's role and
promises support.
1997
- IIHF withdraws from agreement.
2002
- City Council approves Phase One of Museum Tourism Network Study,
including the International Hockey Museum.
2003
- The IHHOF board approves the name change to International Hockey
Hall of Fame.
2003
- IHHOF.com web site launched.
