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In 1974, The Boss wrote “Born to Run” just blocks away from where the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music would eventually reside at Monmouth University in West Long Branch.

Nearly 50 years later, the Springsteen repository unveiled plans for a new 30,000-square-foot building to house the Archives, the Center for American Music, exhibition galleries and a 230-seat, state-of-the-art theater.

A campaign to raise the $45 million to construct the building is underway, the organization said Oct. 18. 

“Monmouth University is excited to enrich our campus with a new home for one of the country’s premier cultural and educational institutions dedicated to preserving the legacy of Bruce Springsteen and the story of American music,” Patrick Leahy, Monmouth University president and Archives board chair, said in a statement.

The new Center for American Music will feature exhibits about Springsteen and showcase topics and themes in American music. The Archives will offer oral histories and interviews, rare film footage and more music history documentation. The site will also play host to concerts, teacher workshops, lectures, film series, and other public and educational programs.

“This beautiful and functional facility will enhance cultural and educational opportunities in New Jersey and our region, expand academic scholarship, and position Monmouth University as a national leader in arts education,” Leahy added.

Robert Santelli, executive director of the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music, said the new facility will be a “valuable educational resource” for teachers and will offer research opportunities for students, journalists and historians.

Designed by New York-based architectural firm COOKFOX, the new building is expected to open in spring 2026.

Springsteen, who has been battling peptic ulcer disease and recently postponed his remaining 2023 tour dates until next year, was on hand for the announcement, according to Archives Director Eileen Chapman.

In March, President Joe Biden presented Springsteen with a National Medal of Arts award. This honor was followed by Gov. Phil Murphy’s declaration in April that The Boss’ birthday, Sept. 23, would be formally recognized as Bruce Springsteen Day in New Jersey. The rock star was born in Long Branch and grew up in Freehold.