Grand Opening of the Roanoke Pinball Museum

Stay and play… but, be careful… you might just learn something.

Center in the Square is excited to announce the addition of a brand new attraction to our facility -- the Roanoke Pinball Museum. Admission to the museum, located on the second floor, will allow visitors to play at their leisure, but also to learn, from 46 machines from 1948 through today.

Pinball players, young and old, will be introduced to the history of pinball, the science behind the game, and have an opportunity to appreciate the color, composition and overall design of the back glasses and playfields. SOL-compliant curriculum and educational resources will be available to students and teachers to reinforce their visit to the museum.

"“We have the opportunity to playfully educate and introduce a new generation to a game that has consistently reflected the sign of the times in American pop culture while introducing a new attraction to Center in the Square and destination for the Roanoke Valley,"” said executive director Jim Sears.

The museum’'s grand opening event will be held from 6-11 p.m. on June 19.

This event will unite multiple generations of Roanoke “gamers” and will include retro gaming (8-bit games) on the large digital monitors inside Center’'s atrium. Music for the event will be provided by DJs st. giga and Stimulator Jones while Bastards of Fate will be preforming in Center'’s atrium at 9pm. The event will also have food, drinks, vendors and a variety of impromptu performances. The atrium level activities are free to the public and admission to the Roanoke Pinball Museum is $10.

The Roanoke Pinball Museum will be an interactive museum where patrons can play any machine for one admission price. General admission for the summer is $10 for individuals 9+ and free for children 8 and younger (with accompanying adult 18+). Year-long memberships are available for individuals and families. Individual memberships are $75 and a household membership (2 adults and up to 4 children) is $125. Members receive year-long access to the museum, the ability to play in league competitions on Tuesday nights, invitations to special member events, and discounts on merchandise, concessions and museum rentals.

For a limited time only (until June 19) the public can purchase an individual membership for $50 and a household membership for just $85.

For more information about the Roanoke Pinball Museum, please call Joseph Mackereth at 540-224-1249 or email him at jmackereth@centerinthesquare.org. Also, don’t forget to check out our website RoanokePinball.org or like us on Facebook