‘Greatest Remembered’ exhibit documents passing of Muhammad Ali
You can now witness how Louisville and the nation said goodbye to Muhammad Ali following his passing on June 3, 2016.
The Greatest Remembered exhibit is the first time in eight years that Ali's passing is being permanently recognized at The Muhammad Ali Center.
“If you were here in the city during the processional people were excited to see Muhammad,” said Bess Goldy, senior manager of Curation and Collections at the Ali Center. “They were throwing roses, throwing flowers, wearing Muhammad t-shirts, and made signs. This was their opportunity to see the champ.”
The exhibit has been a yearlong process, but it's also personal for curator, Bess Goldy.
“I am extremely proud of this exhibit and honored that I was given the opportunity and the responsibility to tell this story, “she said.
The Louisville native, like many, remembers the thousands of people who flooded into Ali's hometown to pay their respects during a weeklong event.
Those moments, and celebrity and community reaction to Ali’s death, will now be on display through a collection of photographs, videos, magazines, films, and news reports. Visitors will also see Ali's memorial service at the Yum Center and the procession through the streets of Louisville to Cave Hill Cemetery where the city, quite literally gave the champ his flowers.
Honoring that moment is a floral wall in the center of the exhibit, handmade by Ali Center employees.
“The drive there was covered in rose petals and Lonnie specifically remembers as they drove over it, the essence of the roses wafted up through the window,” said Goldy.
Like Ali, the promoter of peace, visitors are encouraged to stop and smell the roses and remember the greatest.
“I really think it was a moment to celebrate his legacy, his story and honor that in a joyful, joyful way and I think it's what Muhammad would have wanted,” said Goldy.
The Greatest Remembered opens to the public on Saturday.