Coinciding with the United States of America's national celebration of the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will mark the occasion with a special exhibition, Racing at the Dawn of the United States. The exhibition opens Saturday, Jan. 10 in the Museum's Link Gallery.
Racing at the Dawn of the United States explores the foundation of thoroughbred racing in America from the colonial period to the emergence of the United States as a new republic in the early 19th century. The exhibition will invite visitors to learn about the early history of the sport, highlighting key figures, racecourses, and horses of the time. It will feature selections from the Museum's collection and will be enhanced with loans from Keeneland Library and other collections.
Some of the exhibition's highlights include:
- A letter referencing a horse race from 1793
- Portraits of notable pioneering racing figures, Tregonwell Frampton, Samuel Ogle, and John Tayloe III
- A painting of 20-year-old American Eclipse by Edward Troye
- An advertisement for the sire Bold Briton from 1797
- A selection of early racing trophies, prints, sporting journals, and Revolutionary War items
The Museum thanks presenting sponsor Adirondack Trust Co. for its support in underwriting Racing at the Dawn of the United States. The exhibition will be open through December.
Racing at the Dawn of the United States Curator's Tour
Join Jessica Cloer, the Museum's curator, for a special behind-the-scenes tour of Racing at the Dawn of the United States on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 5:30 p.m. Cloer will detail the process of how this new exhibition was researched and designed to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary through the lens of racing's roots in America. This tour takes place in the Museum's Link Gallery. Space is limited, so get your tickets today! Tickets are free for Museum members. Tickets are available here: https://1049a.blackbaudhosting.com/1049a/Curators-Tour---Racing-at-the-Dawn-of-the-United-States
For more information about the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, including upcoming events, please visit racingmuseum.org or call (518) 584-0400.
