The Horse -- by Geraldine Brooks

 

Maine State Library and Archives Digitize An Online Collection focusing on the History of Maine Agricultural and Agriculture Fairs

The Maine State Archives and the Maine State Library have just announced the posting to their web site all of the agricultural society related papers in the Archives Collection. For those who enjoy researching Maine's agricultural history here is your opportunity. Each item is listed separately with title. Click on the link and you will be able to review the content of the link.

Check it out by clicking this link: 

Agricultural Returns | Secretary of State | Maine State Library (digitalmaine.com)

Understanding the Legacy of C.H. Nelson and his Champion Trotting Stallion, Nelson 4209

 

From the Lewiston Evening Journal -- March 8, 1910 -- Some of the Famous Horses Owned in Hallowell

Open this image in a new tab to enlarge for reading.

The history of one of Maine's lost trotting parks -- Riverside Park in Bethel!

Click on the link below to go to The Bethel Journals!

http://www.thebetheljournals.info/1891/1891_Bethel_Fair.htm?fbclid=IwAR0MskQ-yHnG_CTwvvn6r1IMJUemolrii3RkBjbmuQJFqxW7KqNGyzx5ntM

The Original Grandstand at the Farmington Fair

According to Mike Cushing, this grandstand burned down and was replaced by the grandstand that was used at the pulling ring.

Harness Racing Survey -- From Its Past to Its Present to Create Its Future in the 21st Century

THE MAINE SPIRIT OF THE TURF — HARNESS RACING SURVEY — FROM ITS PAST TO PRESENT TO CREATE ITS FUTURE IN THE 21ST CENTURY!

Early 20th Century Oxford Fair -- located in Norway and South Paris, Maine

August 1940 -- Madawaska, Maine -- The Saint John Valley Fair -- Madawaska's Lost Trotting Park, Still a Question

Overtime, I somehow came to believe that there was a trotting track for a short period in Madawaska. Perhaps there was!! One thing for sure! I do know that there was a fair in Madawaska in August of 1940!

Dover- Foxcroft's Lost Trotting Park -- Located on Park Street -- Today's Piscataquis Valley Fair located on Fairview Avenue (Originally in the Village of Foxcroft

1871 -- The Carroll Trotting Parks Association established through Maine State Legislative Action

Maine's Lost Trotting Parks -- Like Readville -- Lost or Forsaken -- Existing Perhaps Endangered

Walter E Barrett, Jr. -- His Contribution to the History of Harness Racing -- The Lesson of the Readville Trotting Park

A Team for All Time -- Jimmy Jordan and Avies Gross -- Lewiston Sun Journal

Photographs and Race Results -- Harness Racing at the Oxford County Fair, South Paris, Maine 1939

Bringing Fans Back to the Grandstands: Create the Fan Experience -- Be Close to the Action -- Capture the Action -- Understand the Nature of the Competition

Be a Part of the Solution -- Reconnect in Present to Appreciate our Past -- Maine Harness Racing Since the 19th Century

-- Bring the Past to Present to Create the Future --
We live in a time where many check on their lives and their relationships with a Smart Phone. Perhaps we need to step back and re-evaluate
the choices that we make as we live each day.

The "All-Heart" Campaign is asking you to consider returning to the grandstands throughout Maine and learn to appreciate the Standardbred Athletes alongwith their reinsmen as they compete for purses on the oval turf.

Maine's harness racing tradition dates back to the 19th century. Many race meets were attended by over 10,000 fans. 

The Balch Stallion Race in Boston during the 1890'sattracted 40,000 fans. 

Take the time to learn more about harness racing.
If interested, contact Laurie MacKenzie by e-mail at allheart717@gmail.com.

Visit the "All-Heart" Campaign on Facebook!

This Day March 29 -- Beginning with Doble & Dexter

Upon the Death of Hambletonian by Don Daniels

Today Don Daniels posted on Facebook the story surrounding the death of Hambletonian. Don gave me his permission to repost his content to the Lost Trotting Parks Heritage Center.

Promoting Maine Communities -- Maine Agricultural Fairs --- Maine Harness Racing -- Strout Selected Farm Bargains -- Waterville, Maine -- 1919

This post highlights a promotional flyer produced by Strout Selected Farm Bargains Around Waterville, Kennebec County, Maine. Within this promotion, Kennebec County real estate is listed for sale, Kennebec County Agriculture is promoted, the Central Maine Fair is featured, and the image of the harness racing track and grandstand is on the front cover.

Waterville in the Heart of Maine

Annual Appeal to Support the Activities of the Lost Trotting Parks Heritage Center

Seasons Greetings from Lost Trotting Parks!

This post is part of our end of year annual appeal to raise funds to support the activities of the Lost Trotting Parks Heritage Center. Lost Trotting Parks is a Maine registered nonprofit and recognized by the IRS for tax deductible donations. This appeal is asking for donations to support the development of the Lost Trotting Parks Web Site and the production of and printing of storyboards for displays that are set up during presentations and displayed through Maine's Tailgate Museum. 

We are asking for your support to purchase memorabilia that will be scanned and placed into digital storyboards for the Lost Trotting Parks web site. We also need funds to support the printing, mounting and or lamination of storyboards for public displays and presentations. 

The Lost Trotting Parks web sites have been visited by Mainers from 193 Maine communities. This represents more than 150,000 page views. The Lost Trotting Parks Online Museum has also been visited by individuals living in Canada, Ireland, England, France, Australia, New Zealand, and Russia. Through Facebook Lost Trotting Parks has posted more than 10,000 images that are freely distributed to Maine's harness racing community. 

Your financial support is needed and would be greatly appreciated. The following link takes you to the front page of the Lost Trotting Parks web site. At the bottom of this page is a button for donations. Your charitable donations at any level will be greatly appreciated. If you prefer to make your donation by check, please mail your donation to Lost Trotting Parks, P.O. Box 263, Hallowell, Maine 04347

Click Here to go the Lost Trotting Parks Front Page

 to Make a Tax Deductible Donation! Thank you

Hooked on Harness Racing -- A Book by Donald P. Evans -- A Story from the Early 1960's -- A Review by S. Dexter

King William is once again resides in the State of Maine

The 1873 painting of King William by Maine Harness Horseman, George H. Bailey, is now owned by the Lost Trotting Parks Heritage Center. The painting had traveled to an auction house in South Carolina. The painting was also the the front page engraving in J.W. Thompson's book, Noted Maine Horses. The painting will be displayed in secure public building so that the public can learn of the stories of Bailey and Thompson. Please suggest possible locations for a Lost Trotting Parks Display!

The Celebrated Midnight Ride of Paul Revere -- On a Narragansett Pacer -- A Breed of Horses that No Longer Exists!

As a child one hears of the celebrated ride of Paul Revere. A newly published biography on Paul Revere present a far more comprehensive view of Paul Revere, the man, the silversmith, and Paul Revere as a patriot.

Are there lessons for today from an old postcard? The Maine State Fairgrounds -- Lewiston, Maine

Premium Book Cover -- Central Maine Fair -- Waterville, Maine -- 1920

C.H. Nelson & His Famous Trotting Stallion, Nelson 4209, may have been captured in an early 20th Century Postcard -- Prior to 1908

It was often said that Nelson and his famous stallion would be found in downtown Waterville. This postcard just may be the proof!

Over $1,000,000 Wagered in Maine During 1938

1938 -- Maine's Leading Driver, Jimmy Jordan -- Elected to the Harness Racing Hall of Fame -- Goshen, New York -- 2014 -- To be Inducted in 2015

1919 -- Maine State Fair at Lewiston