from the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame

Goshen, NY — On Hall of Fame Day, Sunday, July 4, Museum trustee William Mulligan announced he would donate $10,000 to the important effort to examine, identify, categorize, maintain, store and digitize more than 8,000 photographs and 3,500 press releases saved from the demolition in 1995 of Roosevelt Raceway. One catch was his contribution was contingent on the Museum receiving double that amount from outside sources, especially individual donors. Since the challenge was announced the Museum has received more than half of the money needed to meet the challenge, however, support has slowed over the past month and must be revived if we are to get Bill Mulligan to make good on his offer!

The Roosevelt Legacy Project is estimated to cost $157,000. Currently $48,006.20 has been realized in individual donor support and $36,000 in grants from funding institutions. The primary work of re-housing and identifying the more than 11,000 items — including photographs, negatives, press releases, notes and files rescued from Roosevelt Raceway’s press office has been completed. Eighty percent of the collection has been digitized to facilitate access for research and exhibition. Saving the best for last, all that remains to be digitized are three large boxes of press files covering the great Roosevelt Raceway International and two containing color slides and press packages that require special handling. The project had been hampered by budgetary constraints and staff reductions but thanks to an early response to the Mulligan Challenge the project has broken away from the field and should, if funding continues, be crossing the finish line by the end of January 2011. This will open the way for exhibit and publication phases of the project to begin.

In-depth information on the project, work schedule, funding categories and an application form can be found at this link. All contributions to this important project are tax deductible and contributions can be sent to the Museum at 240 Main Street, Goshen, NY, or received by phone at 845.294.6330.

The Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame is located at 240 Main Street in Goshen, New York and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last tour 4 p.m.) Thanks to USTA support the Museum is currently offering free admission for walk-in visitors and $4.00/person for group docent-guided tours. For information on the Museum, special events, gift shop services and educational programs the Museum offers, please call 845.294.6330 or visit www.harnessmuseum.com.