STILLWATER, Okla. - The National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum unveiled the official logo for its 40th Anniversary in 2016 on Tuesday. 

The anniversary logo features the NWHOF logo encircled by an olive wreath with 40 Years and 1976-2016 on a banner placed on a shield. It was created by Kim Woodard of Woodard Design in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The 40th Anniversary logo will be featured in publications, website, social media, and merchandise.

"We are excited to be celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum, and this logo commemorates a special milestone," said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum.

America's shrine to the sport of wrestling, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum was officially dedicated on Sept. 11, 1976. The nation's only wrestling museum at the time, it was created with the idea that the oldest sport in the world should have a permanent home for its culture and memorabilia.

The Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma, is currently closed to visitors as it undergoes an entire interior renovation. It is scheduled to re-open on June 3-4 for the annual Honors Weekend induction ceremonies.

With museums in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Waterloo, Iowa, the Hall of Fame has the largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia in the world including the Hall of Honors in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where wrestling legends are enshrined at the national, regional, and state level.

The building was home to the United States Wrestling Federation which became USA Wrestling in 1983. USA Wrestling relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado, home of the United States Olympic Committee, in June 1988.

John T. Vaughan of Florida, former chairman of the Board of Governors of the Hall of Fame, pledged to keep the museum alive and operating as a separate entity. The NWHOF recognized his dedication and commitment in 1994 when it named the Hall of Honors in his name.

The NWHOF continues its mission to honor the sport of wrestling through preserving its history, recognizing extraordinary individual achievements, and inspiring future generations. The rich heritage and diversity of the sport

is highlighted throughout the newly-renovated museum. There is also a library featuring historical documents and books on the sport as well as a theater.

The statue depicted in the logo is the one that has greeted visitors to the NWHOF since it opened its doors, but in the newly-renovated museum, it will be featured in the Hall of Honors. It is a copy of the classic Greek statue "The Wrestlers" by Cephisodotus in the Uffizi gallery in Florence, Italy. The statue in the Hall of Fame is the only one in the world in green marble and was first seen by Myron Roderick when he was in Europe for the 1972 Olympics. It was donated by Calvin Garrett of Oklahoma City in memory of his son, Robert L. Garrett, an Oklahoma State University senior killed in a motorcycle accident.

The inaugural class of Distinguished Members was Raymond G. Clapp, Fendley Collins, Tommy Evans, Edward C. Gallagher, Art Griffith, Danny Hodge, Clifford P. Keen, Dave McCuskey, George Mehnert, Hugo Otopalik, Rex Peery, Myron Roderick, Billy Sheridan, and Jack VanBebber.

Woodard Design is something unique. A design and advertising studio that specializes in evolving and growing brands through insightful, creative solutions. With over 20 years of combined service the partners at Woodard Design have created innovative, award-winning solutions for MGM Healthcare, Rich & Cartmill Insurance and Bonds, Minerva Productions, Oklahoma State University, and Heretic Films.