Brightening their colors

Harness Racing Museum to conserve drivers’ jackets Goshen — Trainer/driver Walter (“Longshot”) Cox (1868-1941) won the Hambletonian Stake in 1929 with Walter Dear, whose stablemates Volomite, Sir Guy Mac, and Miss Woerner took second, third, and fourth money in the classic — a feat never equaled by any other trainer. A jacket he wore in 1929 is part of the collection of the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in Goshen but not yet suitable for display. This will change when the jacket gets museum-grade conservation treatment, made possible by the Lower Hudson Conference, which has provided $2,235 for cleaning and repairs. Expert textile conservator Gwen Spicer will survey other garments in the museum’s collection. Jackets worn by “Doc” Parshall (1940) and Fred Egan (circa 1930) will join Cox’s as soon as they have been “stabilized,” museum officials said. It will be the first time many of these garments will be on display in more than 25 years. The cost of conserving precious reminders of harness racing’s glory days is high. The Carol Fleming Messenger Fund for the Care and Conservation of Drivers’ Colors continues to grow and garner interest from museum members, drivers’ families, friends and funding agencies. Between individual contributions and fundraising efforts, the fund now stands at over $13,000. This includes a $2,500 grant received from the Upstate History Alliance to survey the collection. The following “adoptive parents” have found a connection to the history of their chosen projects. In recent weeks, 1997 Hambletonian Stake-winning driver Mal Burroughs has adopted the colors of Harrison Hoyt, the first amateur driver to win the famous trotting race (Burroughs is only the second to do so). Harrison’s colors (1948) are in critical need of attention, with much of the fabric disintegrating. Also coming to the aid of Mr. Hoyt’s memory is Glen Wise, who will ensure that Harrison’s driving cap will be conserved. Ebby Gerry, the museum president, adopted the colors of Arden Homestead Stable trainer W.K. “Billy Dick” Dickerson (1940), and Tom Charters, president of the Hambletonian Society, chose the driving jacket of Mister Sam Caton, longtime trainer of horses in 19th-century Russia. Jay Farrar has taken responsibility for the treatment of his Uncle Frank Ervin’s green and red jacket (circa 1945). A Castleton Farm trainer for many years, Frank Ervin won two Hambletonians and trained super-showman Bret Hanover, winner of the Pacing Triple Crown. The museum continues to solicit project sponsors to fund the conservation of those driving colors currently awaiting adoption, either entirely or in part. Jackets and caps needing support are as follows: • Henry Thomas of Joliet, Ill. was a star of the Grand Circuit, he went to Hanover Shoe Farms, for whom he won two Hambletonians. He won a third Hambletonian in 1944 with Yankee Maid. • Doc Parshall of Hillsboro, Ohio, was a veterinarian. Two-time winner of the Hambletonian Stake, he drove 13 two-minute horses during his career. • Alonzo (“Lon) McDonald of Malone, N.Y., was another top star on the Grand Circuit during the 1920s. His colors are among the oldest in need of attention. • John Dodge of Groton, Conn., a wealthy pharmacist and top amateur driver, helped build the Harlem River Speedway and later bought Hollyrood Farm in Lexington, Ky., where he bred top Standardbreds under the Hollyrood moniker. His colors date from the 1930s. • Fred Egan (1879-1960) was a three-time Hambletonian winner. • T.W. “Tommy” Murphy (1877-1967) was known as the “wizard of the reins.” • Ben White (1873-1958) won four Hambletonians and seven Kentucky Futurities • Ira Ryerson (1867-1934) exported Standardbreds to Europe. He was noted for having the unique record, as a horseman, of having crossed the Atlantic no less than 40 times. Those wishing to adopt a driver’s colors or cap should call the museum’s Department of Historic Collections at 294-6330. Rebecca Howard, manager of collections, will provide an estimate of the cost and an outline of the treatment plan. Any or all of the cost of conservation may be donated to the museum by an individual or a group of friends and family. Once funding is in place, the conservator will be contracted to provide treatment. The adoptive parties will receive before-and-after photographs made by the conservator. When the colors are displayed, the sponsors will receive photo of the exhibit and will be acknowledged on all exhibit labels. The Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame is the sport’s international museum and is located at 240 Main St. in Goshen. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., November through March. The museum stays open one hour longer from April through October. more information is available at www.harnessmuseum.com.