An girl on the round floor
49ers Museum curator was arry-eyed intern at its beginnings
eth Atlas has cheered for the Red and Gold all her life.
So the San Jose native was beyond excited when she began working on a museum project for Levi’s Stadium, which was still under construction at the time. Atlas, who got her master’s degree from San Jose State, began her career with that internship in 2013. Today, she’s the senior manager and r the 49ers Museum, which opened in 2014.
led you to this career
my master’s of library nformation science in that’s what kind of gave ills to be in this role I w. I always enjoyed histoalways been a 49ers fan. ays loved sports.
t sounds like your faTed Atlas, was also a big tory buff ...
rote a book about Canck Park — a pictorial the stadium where the e for decades. ship knew that they put a museum in the um — a physical home ward J. DeBartolo Sr.
49ers Hall of Fame. They talked with (my father) about Candlestick Park and what points to honor the 49ers’ previous home as they moved into the new venue.
At the time, I was just starting my master’s degree. The museum development team needed interns to come on and start working on the project, and that’s kind of how I got involved.
Q
The museum had yet to open — or even be built, really — when you first came into the project. That’s a very different experience than signing on with a pre-existing venue. Was it exciting — or, perhaps, intimidating — to create something brand new?
A
It’s definitely both. There were a lot of people working on the museum. We had a design firm, CambridgeSeven, who had done the Patriots Hall of Fame when they opened Gillette (Stadium). A lot of it was them helping us through, but there are still so many things to do to build a place from scratch.
It was the opportunity time to help build a mus
Q
What were the elem felt were really impo include in the museum?
y, telling the full story team, since everyone — s, football fans — knows in the ’80s and all the wls won. Obviously, they g to be easily covered. anted to make sure that ack to the 1940s, when the team started. How did it get started? Who were the big names back then? Who was the Joe Montana of the 1940s? It was Frankie Albert.
The 49ers didn’t make the biggest name for themselves until the ’80s. But when you look at how many Pro Football Hall of Famers we have inducted who played for the team in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s — it was important to tell their stories and their teammates.
Q
I bet the Niner alum really love this place, coming in and reading about themselves and their former teammates.
A
It was a really important time for them in their lives. So, the fact that they are able to relive it and share it with their loved ones is pretty special.
Q
One of the coolest things in the building is the Hall of Fame. I love seeing the statues of Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott and all the other greats. The one of Dwight Clark making “The Catch” is just awesome.
A
The idea behind the Hall of Fame was showing our inductees in their signature pose, so that when someone walks into the Hall of Fame, they are going to know who is standing in front of them without having to look down at their ID plaque.
So, obviously, there was no discussion around Dwight: He has to be in that catch from that famous Sports Illustrated photo.