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Thursday, November 24, 2016

Dr. James Naismith Plaque

In Almonte, Ontario just north of the northeast corner of Country Road Number 29 and James Naismith Way stands a plaque titled, Dr. James Naismith.



DR. JAMES NAISMITH 1861-1939
This is the boyhood home of James Naismith, the inventor
of basketball. Born in a house which formerly stood on
this lot, he enttered McGill University in 1883 where he
was active in athletics. In 1890 Naismith graduated in
theology from Presbyterian College, Montreal, and
subsequently enrolled at the International Y.M.C.A.
Training School (now Springfield College) in Massachusetts.
There was a need for a competitive team sport that could
be played indoors during the winter months, and, there,
in December 1891, Naismith devised a game, played under
thirteen basic rules, with a ball and two round baskets.
He directed physical education at the University of Kansas
for thirty-six years and died at Lawrence, Kansas.

Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario.