Anyone that knows me would tell you that, no matter where
I live, one of my favorite places to go is the library! I have always loved reading and when I got
older and spent tons of time driving, found a love for books on tape. Since moving to New York, I’ve become a big
fan of the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library and all of the resources you can find
there.
I signed up for their e-mail newsletter and some time ago
came across an article about the library’s museum pass program. With your library card, you can check out
free passes to museums all over the Capital Region! I knew that would be a great idea to keep in
my back pocket when we had visitors come.
Growing up in Missouri and Arkansas, my parents always took
us to Oaklawn for horse racing in Hot Springs, Arkansas. I was probably about 10-years-old when I
learned how to bet on the ponies! My aunt and uncle from Fort Worth, Texas would meet us there and we spent lots of time studying horses, jockeys and track conditions…hoping to hit it big! My favorite thing was to go in with my mom and aunt to try to win an Exacta race. Let’s just say horse racing did not pay for my college education.
Our family still enjoys going to the races and I knew while my parents were in New
York visiting they would probably like to see the National Museum of Racing and
Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs. Its
right across from the track and the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library let us check out
passes that got us in the door for free.
The museum had a lot of neat artifacts from horse racing history. A great collection of trophies, silks and memorabilia helps tell the story of America’s oldest sport. You’ll see stuff from the big dogs: Seabiscuit, Secretariat
and Man o’ War and the jockeys that rode them. The trophies were amazing to look at and most of the displays showcased memorabilia that explained the development of the sport.
Unfortunately, the museum doesn’t allow photography so it’s kinda hard to show
you what makes it so great.
You could take pictures in the Hall of Fame and it was there
that we saw some of the famous names I remembered watching as a child in
Arkansas. I learned quickly as a kid to
bet on Pat Day, he always seemed a sure thing!
The Hall of Fame wasn’t just for jockeys, horses were there too. Along the ceiling were the silks worn by the jockeys, which made for a colorful addition.
My parents really
enjoyed touring the National Museum of Racing.
I’m excited for their next trip…the library has tons of museum passes so
I know we’ll be headed someplace else fun!
