<P> The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts . It serves as the sport's most complete library, in addition to promoting and preserving the history of basketball . Dedicated to Canadian physician and inventor of the sport James Naismith, it was opened and inducted its first class in 1959 . </P> <P> As of the induction of the Class of 2016 on September 9, 2016, the Hall has formally inducted 354 individuals . </P> <P> The Naismith Hall of Fame was established in 1959 by Lee Williams, a former athletic director at Colby College . In the 1960s, the Basketball Hall of Fame struggled to raise enough money for the construction of its first facility . However, during the following half - decade the necessary amount was raised, and the building opened on Feb. 17, 1968, less than one month after the National Basketball Association played its 18th All - Star Game . The Basketball Hall of Fame's Board named four inductees in its first year . In addition to honoring those who contributed to basketball, the Hall of Fame sought to make contributions of its own . In 1979, the Hall of Fame sponsored the Tip - Off Classic, a pre-season college basketball exhibition . This Tip - Off Classic has been the start to the college basketball season ever since, and although it does not always take place in Springfield, Massachusetts, generally it returns every few years . </P> <P> In the 17 years that the original Basketball Hall of Fame operated at Springfield College, it drew more than 630,000 visitors . The popularity of the Basketball Hall of Fame necessitated that a new facility be constructed, and in 1985, an $11 million facility was built beside the scenic Connecticut River in Springfield . As the new hall opened, it also recognized women for the first time, with inductees such as Senda Berenson Abbott, who first introduced basketball to women at Smith College . During the years following its construction, the Basketball Hall of Fame's second facility drew far more visitors than ever anticipated, due in large part to the increasing popularity of the game but also to the scenic location beside the river and the second Hall's interesting modern architecture . </P>

When was the basketball hall of fame built
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