from the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame

Goshen, NY — The estimated cost of the Roosevelt Raceway Legacy Project is $157,000. Currently $71,525 has been received in individual donor support and $35,000 in grants from funding institutions, with a balance of $50,475 still needed to complete the project which will include the installation of a permanent exhibit celebrating Roosevelt Raceway’s preeminence as a harness racing showplace, and the publication of a souvenir chronicle of the exhibit and supporting memorabilia.

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 concluded. The collection has been digitized to ease access for research and exhibition and collections department staff are now beginning to contact potential donors for delivery of promised memorabilia, offered in previous years but unable to accept because of time and space constraints. With preliminary designs for the display having been reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees, the Museum is now moving forward with accepting these gifts.

The project, launched in 2008, was hampered by budgetary constraints and staff reductions but, thanks to a significant response by Standardbred owners and Roosevelt Raceway fans Jerry Silva and Bill Mulligan, sufficient funding has now been received to complete Phase I & II of the project.

Museum member Silva and Museum member and trustee Mulligan will be recognized for their level of giving at the Harness Racing Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on Sunday (July 1), with the presentation of the limited edition glass Founder’s Plate. The original Founder’s Plate was awarded to winners of successive years in principal Roosevelt Raceway stakes and in its time was considered the “ultimate competition for Standardbred race horses.”

Funding to successfully build the exhibition envisioned and produce the planned publication is still needed and those with connections to the historic site, either through personal experience, family connection or business ties are invited to join us in celebrating its history and unique place in harness racing history.

Contact director Gail Cunard or collections manager Rebecca Howard for information on how you can pledge your support and even secure your own limited edition “Founder’s Plate” at director@harnessmuseum.com. In-depth information on the project, work schedule, funding categories and an application form is also available 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, 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.