The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame opened the Alfred Z. Solomon Saratoga Sesquicentennial Exhibit June 25 in the Museum's McBean Gallery. The new exhibit, which tells the story of 150 years of Thoroughbred racing in Saratoga Springs from 1863 to the present, runs through September 2014.
"Saratoga has an incredible and unique history in the world of Thoroughbred racing and we are excited to showcase that here at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame," said Victoria Tokarowski, the Museum's curator, in a release. "We believe the Alfred Z. Solomon Saratoga Sesquicentennial Exhibit will both inform and entertain racing fans. We have many unique items on display and we're looking forward to the public being able to experience this great exhibit."
The exhibit was underwritten by the Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust. It features an illustrated timeline, trophies, artwork, photography, rare artifacts and memorabilia, an interactive video component with interviews and historical race footage, and a slideshow of items provided by racing fans.
In addition to the space in the McBean Gallery, the National Museum of Racing will feature a unique gallery paying exclusive tribute to the Travers Stakes, which was first contested in 1864. This gallery features historical footage of several runnings of the "Midsummer Derby," as well as artifacts from the race's rich history.
In conjunction with the Alfred Z. Solomon Sesquicentennial Exhibit, the Museum will also feature two daily films about Saratoga's racing history each day through Labor Day. The first film is a production by the New York Racing Association about Saratoga's 1963 centennial anniversary, which will be followed by a piece about Saratoga's racing history from 1863 to the present by Myriad Productions. See the Museum website at www.racingmuseum.org for the current film schedule.
The Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Hours during the Saratoga Race Course meet from July 19 through Sept. 2 are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.