The Hockey Hall of Fame was founded in 1943 to establish a memorial to those who have developed the world's greatest sport. It was then incorporated in 1983 as the Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum, and exists today in order to honor and preserve the history of the game of ice hockey and, in particular, those who have made outstanding contributions and achievements in the development of the game.

The Hockey Hall of Fame moved to its present location in 1993.

The Hall collects, preserves, researches, exhibits, and promotes all objects, images, and histories which are determined to be significant to the story of ice hockey. Upon entering the awesome facility, fans are overwhelmed by artifacts that date way back to the sport's early stages and stumble upon memorabilia from both yesterday and today.

One of the best things about the game's shrine is that the museum is completely interactive. The Hall of Fame offers more than just pucks, sticks and jerseys behind glass cases. Fans of all ages get to test their hockey skills at several different Hall attractions.

Visitors can feel what it's like to face the best shooters in the NHL when they suit up and play goal against video images of hockey superstars Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier at the Full Impact Hockey Zone. They also can fire away using real pucks and a stick, against a life-sized, computer-simulated goalie that truly responds to their shots at the Shoot Out Zone.

Once they're done on the ice, they then can move on to the Broadcast Zone, where fans not only get to see what goes on behind the scenes during an NHL broadcast but they also have the opportunity to call the action at one of the available broadcast booths.

After working up a sweat like the real players do, fans then can move on to the Dressing Room Exhibit, which brings to life the famed Montreal Canadiens' dressing room at the Forum from the 1990s, and see up close where the NHLers call home before and after games.

"It's a hands-on experience for fans of all ages," said Peter Jagla, the Hall's producer of new media and E-business. "It's as much a place for the fans as it is for the honored members. The Hall seems to bring out everything people themselves experienced in the sport."

The Hockey Hall of Fame also houses special exhibits like "Wayne Gretzky - The Legend." This limited-time special edition exhibit is the largest display the Hockey Hall of Fame has ever dedicated to any one individual. It features memorabilia that includes the net in which "The Great One" scored his 802nd goal to break Gordie Howe's scoring mark and also Gretzky's first-ever pair of skates.

Fans can see the Stanley Cup at any time at the Hockey Hall of Fame.

A mainstay at the museum is the Great Hall, which is home to portraits and biographical sketches of each Honored Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and also all the NHL's trophies, including the beloved Stanley Cup. Visitors not only get to see the NHL hardware up close, they also have an opportunity to see, touch and take a picture with sports' most famous championship trophy.

If the price of admission isn't enough for you during business hours, the Hall of Fame is also available for banquets, dinners, receptions, meetings, and private functions, creating the perfect atmosphere for those very special events.

Located in Downtown Toronto at 30 Yonge Street, the Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum is more than just a place to go this summer to spend a day out of the sun. It is special place that will bring you closer than you've ever been to a game and it will also leave you with a net full of memories that will last a lifetime.

"The Hall has the capability to bring people back in time, allowing them to relive their childhood memories," Jagla explained. "We try to relay to all our visitors that this great place is as much their own, as it is the people who are enshrined here. We want to touch the hearts of every fan who walks through that door."

For a closer look at the Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum, visit their website at www.hhof.com and take the virtual tour of their hockey digs.

Rob Picarello can often be found with his face pressed to the glass at a Hall of Fame exhibit.