Birthplace of Dr. James Naismith, inventor of basketball

This is the boyhood home of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball. Born in 1861 in a house which formerly stood on this lot, he entered 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.

Basketball, is played in over 200 countries around the world.

He was born in Almonte, Ontario on November 6, 1861

www.naismithmuseum.com/