New Hanover County and the family of basketball icon Michael Jordan have begun building a museum in Wilmington, North Carolina, to honor his legacy.
The county and the Jordan family signed a memorandum of understanding on Dec. 4 detailing what the museum will look like, although the process is still in its early stages.
According to the document, the corner of Third and Chestnut streets is an “ideal location” for an independent exhibition. The Jordan family will be responsible for donations and loaning personal items for display. The MOU outlines that the parties involved will work together to design schematics and operating agreements in 2024, but it is not a binding agreement, meaning more steps need to be taken before the museum can be assured.
Wilmington excited about MJ Museum
New Hanover County Commissioner Jonathan Barfield told WECT News in Wilmington that the museum still has several hurdles to overcome before becoming a reality, but he is excited about the potential of a Jordan-focused museum.
“This is going to be transformative for downtown Wilmington, number one, not just the library and the museum, but now there’s a second museum honoring Michael Jordan. It’s going to be extraordinary,” he said .
“Partnering with the Jordan family is an important opportunity for New Hanover County,” New Hanover County Manager Chris Coudriet told WECT News. “This will help honor notable figures and families locally and around the world, and provide a great opportunity for our community. Contributing to the cultural and educational landscape.”
Michael Jordan’s family and the New Hanover County-owned Cape Fear Museum of History and Science have had a successful relationship in the past, including Michael Jordan: Achieving Success Exhibition, showcasing items loaned by the family.
Michael Jordan grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina
Jordan grew up in Wilmington and attended Laney High School before attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 1981 to 1984. He received many honors at UNC, including an NCAA national championship with the Tar Heels in 1982, two-time All-American, ACC Player of the Year, two-time All-ACC First Team, ACC Player of the Year Rookie of the Year and eventually his No. 23 jersey was retired through the program. The No. 3 overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft, Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships and was named Finals MVP each time. The 14-time All-Star is considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time.
