St. Augustine, Fla., (June 23, 2011) -- After extending its showing of Bob Hope: Shanks for the Memory exhibit into 2011, the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum is transforming it into a traveling exhibition with the support of the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation. Bob Hope: An American Treasure, will embark on a five-year tour this fall.

The 2,500-square foot exhibit will open in Oct. 1 at the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in Green Bay, Wis. Following a three-month engagement through Jan. 1, it will open at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Mich., for a Feb. 8 - June 10, 2012 exhibition. The tour is scheduled to continue through 2015.

"Bob Hope is a transcendent figure not just in golf, but in American history," said Jack Peter, World Golf Hall of Fame Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "His story is so compelling that we felt it was the ideal candidate to build into our first traveling exhibition. We are honored to have the support of the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation in this exciting venture."

Bob Hope: An American Treasure will feature more than 150 artifacts, including Hope's PGA of America money clip, an honorary Oscar statuette, Honorary Veterans citation, and Congressional gold medal. More than 200 vintage photos and several video displays will tell the story about Hope's early years as part of an immigrant family in the early 20th century, his rise as a star of stage, screen and radio, the relationships he had with U.S. presidents, his devotion to the U.S. military and his love of golf.

"My mother and I are so pleased that the World Golf Hall of Fame has undertaken this project," said Linda Hope. "Thousands of people have seen the wonderful exhibit that opened in 2008 and now many more will have the chance to laugh and learn about Dad and what he meant to so many."

The Hall of Fame partnered with ExpoMuseums, a division of ExpoDisplays, a Birmingham, Ala.-based designer and manufacturer of portable and custom exhibits, to construct the exhibit. An educational program is being developed for the exhibition connecting key dates and events in Hope's life with historical events, inventions and innovations during the 20th century. It is being created in conjunction with KidScoop, a Sonoma, Calif.-based developer and provider of curriculum and teaching aids for teachers and parents.

For more information, including photos, about the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum and Bob Hope: An American Treasure, visit www.WorldGolfHallofFame.org/hof/Hopeontheroad.php.

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About the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum

The World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum honors the history of golf by recognizing and preserving the legacies of the game's greatest players and contributors. The Hall of Fame and Museum, located at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., serves as a steward of the game through engaging, interactive storytelling and exhibitions featuring artifacts, works of art, audio, video and photography significant to the history of golf and its members.

The Hall of Fame is a 501(c)3 nonprofit institution and is allied with 26 national and international golf organizations, including The European Tour, LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR, The R&A and USGA. To learn more about the Hall of Fame or to lend support, visit www.WorldGolfHallofFame.org.

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As the Founding Partner of the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum and World Golf Village, Shell Oil Company played a lead role in supporting the development and growth of the institution, which opened in 1998. Since then, their continued involvement has led the way for others to join in support of the Hall of Fame & Museum's mission.