About the California Hall of Fame

What is the California Hall of Fame?

Conceived by First Lady Maria Shriver, the California Hall of Fame was established in 2006 to honor legendary people who embody California’s innovative spirit and have made their mark on history. The California Hall of Fame is a landmark destination at The California Museum for History, Women and the Arts. It inspires visitors by exhibiting the diverse, creative and innovative body of trailblazers, leaders and legends who have called California their home.

Founded within The California Museum in Sacramento, the California Hall of Fame celebrates inductees by:

• Installing inductees into the California Hall of Fame through a formal state ceremony in Sacramento each year, at which inductees (or their families, if a posthumous award) receive the beautiful California Hall of Fame medal;
• Making inductees and their accomplishments part of the permanent record in the California State Archives;
• Recording the unique stories and personal achievements of inductees in an exhibit at The California Museum, serving as the visual, encyclopedic record of the California Hall of Fame, to which new inductees are added each year; and
• Highlighting the inspirational achievements of inductees through a year-round education campaign.

Where is it located?

The California Hall of Fame is centrally located at The California Museum for History, Women and the Arts, 1020 'O' Street in Sacramento, one block away from the State Capitol.

Who are the inductees and how are they selected?

Inductees in the California Hall of Fame come from all walks of life, and are people who have made distinguished achievements across many fields including the arts, education, business and labor, science, sports, philanthropy and public service.

A selection committee, comprised of representatives from The California Museum, the California Arts Council, and the Governor's and First Lady's Offices, works from established selection and eligibility criteria to identify nominations. The committee consults with noted California historian, California State Librarian Emeritus and Professor of History at USC Kevin Starr, the California State Archivist, Nancy Zimmelman Lenoil, and the California State Librarian, Susan Hildreth, on the identification of inductees, and presents recommendations to the Governor for final approval.

Criteria for selection requires that inductees have transcended the boundaries of their own field to make lasting contributions to the state, nation and world and that their extraordinary vision motivates and inspires people to further their own dreams.

Who are the 2007 inductees?

The 2007 inductees are: Ansel Adams, Milton Berle, Steve Jobs, Willie Mays, Robert Mondavi, Rita Moreno, Jackie Robinson, Jonas Salk, M.D., John Steinbeck, Elizabeth Taylor, Earl Warren, John Wayne and Tiger Woods.

Who else has been inducted?

The inaugural class—Ronald Reagan, César Chávez, Walt Disney, Amelia Earhart, Clint Eastwood, Frank Gehry, David D. Ho, M.D., Billie Jean King, John Muir, Sally K. Ride, Ph.D., Alice Walker and the Hearst and Packard Families—was inducted December 7, 2006, in a formal ceremony presided over by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver.

How does the California Hall of Fame fit into the museum's education and other year-round programming?

The California Hall of Fame advances The Museum's mission to engage, enlighten and educate. The California Museum plays a role in addressing the tremendous need in K-12 education by bringing critical learning opportunities in art, culture and history to youth. In 2007, The California Museum expects to serve over 50,000 students through this program. California Hall of Fame educational activities, wrapped into the current educational programming, feature family fun days inspired by inductees and special activity sheets for educators teaching California history.

When will the California Hall of Fame induction take place?

The annual California Hall of Fame induction event will be held on December 5, 2007, and includes a formal state induction ceremony, the presentation of medals by the Governor and First Lady, followed by a celebration reception and the unveiling of the new exhibit installation. All living inductees attend and members of the surviving family accept posthumous awards.

What is the California Hall of Fame medal?

The California Hall of Fame medal, named Spirit of California, is the beautiful sculpted medal presented to each inductee, symbolizing their installation into the California Hall of Fame. It is presented at the formal induction ceremony. Designed by internationally-acclaimed California artist Robert Graham, the medal features an iconic image of an individual, representative of California's great spirit.