Traveling Exhibits

The Harness Racing Museum’s free traveling exhibits – “The Story of Harness Racing by Currier & Ives,” “A Drive To Win” and the “What is Harness Racing?Poster Series – are available to be hosted by museums, art galleries, libraries, race tracks and all appropriate venues. Attendance figures for the popular exhibits have surpassed 1.2 MILLION!

The Story of Harness Racing by Currier & Ives” consists of more than 30 lithographs which illustrate harness racing’s important role in American culture and history. Prints depicting great trotting horses, bucolic mid-18th century scenes and comedic adventures convey a picturesque view of Americana prior to the advent and development of photography. “Currier & Ives” has most recently been on display at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois; the Long Island Museum in Stony Brook, New York; the Museé du Trot in Grosbois, France; Hazel Park Raceway; the Wayne County (Indiana) Historical Museum and Historic Walnford in Upper Freehold, New Jersey.

In 2016, in an effort to open this exhibit to a wider public – through presentation in less restrictive settings such as malls, fairs, racetracks and more – the Harness Racing Museum has produced and framed a limited set of 33 reproduction prints from original Currier & Ives lithographs in our collection, plus four reader boards. Just as the original series has done, this exhibit illustrates, in an artful way, harness racing's important role in American culture and history. Making its debut at the Delaware County Fair in September 2016, the display introduces harness racing and the Harness Racing Museum to new audiences and is made possible by the generous support of the Burke Racing Stable.

In 2009 the Harness Racing Museum introduced its traveling exhibit, “A Drive to Win,” thanks to the generosity of Hanover Shoe Farms. Consisting of 30 framed posters, the exhibit celebrates the drivers and trainers who make every race possible, but through circumstance, choice, design or fate, did not rise to stardom. You will not meet the twenty-seven featured heroes and heroines in the Hall of Fame; however, their stories are important. Their stories are poignant, thought-provoking and, most assuredly, worthy of our respect, affection and, above all, appreciation. “A Drive To Win” has recently appeared at Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs and Batavia Downs in upstate New York; Lebanon Raceway in Lebanon, Ohio; the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, New Jersey during Hambletonian Week; and the Delaware (Ohio) and Franklin County (Ohio) Fairs.

The “What is Harness Racing?Poster Series consists of six colorful framed posters illustrating the uniquely American sport of harness racing. The posters provide a descriptive introduction to the American Standardbred horse and its historic bloodlines, the breed’s great progenitor Hambletonian 10, as well as the most significant foundation sires of both trotters and pacers. Also included is a comprehensive timeline of important harness racing milestones from 1788 to the present time. Recent venues hosting the Poster Series include The Meadows Racetrack in Washington, Pennsylvania; the Delaware County (Ohio) Fair and Miami Valley Gaming in Lebanon, Ohio.

To be considered, venues must have adequate wall space, security, and a climate-controlled environment. Host applicants are considered on a first come, first served basis, so if you are interested in hosting any of the exhibits – or can suggest any appropriate venues in your area - please contact the Museum.