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

Harness Racing on the Ice -- Bath, Maine 1920

King William -- Engraving from Painting by George H. Bailey, Portland, Maine -- Noted Maine Horses by J.W. Thompson 1874

Dash to the Pole by Elwin L. Shaw -- A Souvenir of the Brockton Fair 1909 -- A March Two Step Celebrating the Dash to the North Pole and Harness Racing at the Brockton Fair

Searching for the Descendants of Billy Hall -- Harness Racing Driver before World War II

This is a story that starts with a letter from Delvin Miller to Clark Thompson written in 1995. Miller relates to Clark a WWII story of when he was responsible for taking 400 mules to India. While in India Miller met up with Billy Smith, a harness racing driver who often drove horses for a Mrs. Gross from Auburn, Maine. Miller knew Billy from his days at the Kite Track in Old Orchard Beach. Billy as did Jimmy Jordan drove a horse by the name of Forbes Direct. Miller spent an evening with Billy in India and months later met up with his group known as Merrill's Marauders. He found out that Billy had died of a jungle disease. Why tell this story. Here's the point! While Miller spent the evening with Billy Hall, Billy received a cable from the States telling him that his son had been born. If Billy Hall still has living descendants, this story might just be one they would like to hear.  The following images give context to Billy Hall as a harness racing driver and his death during WWII.              

Two Death Certificates for a William Hall (in India)

Kirsi Bertolini and Fulla Fire

The Start at Scarborough Downs -- June 22, 2014

Everyone in the Potato Belt Attends the Northern Maine Fair -- American Horse Breeder -- 1918

On the Move at the Windsor Fairgrounds

Signs of Harness Racing at the Windsor Fairgrounds - - Windsor, Maine

Free-Legged Pacer in Training at the Windsor Fairgrounds

Everything You Wanted to Know about the Free-Legged Pacer

1918 -- Eastern Maine Fair at Bangor -- A New Direction