SARATOGA SPRINGS -- The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its 1950 founding with numerous special exhibitions, a variety of signature events, and expanded programming throughout 2025.
Among the offerings at the museum will be events focusing on the three legs of the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs (May 3), the Preakness at Pimlico (May 17) and the 157th Belmont Stakes, which will be held for the second year in a row at Saratoga Race Course on June 7, as Belmont Park continues to be reconstructed.
The five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will be held at Saratoga Race Course from June 4-8.
The museum's Derby events culminate with the 9th Annual Derby Party on May 3.
The museum's Belmont plans include the unveiling of a mural and opening of its summer exhibitions on June 3; a Belmont-themed Bites and Brews event on June 6; Saturday Morning Social on Belmont Day June 7; and a Family Fun Fest on Sunday, June 8.
More information on the Belmont events will be coming soon on the museum's website racingmuseum.org.
The annual Derby Party fundraiser will feature samplings of local brews, wines and spirits, and signature bites from local restaurants. While exploring the museum and its exhibits, guests will enjoy live entertainment before a live airing of the 2025 Kentucky Derby in the Official Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame.
The museum is a 501 © 3 non-profit organization, and all proceeds from this year's event support the museum's educational mission and allow for exciting exhibits and programs all year round.
The schedule of events for the Derby Party include: coverage of the Kentucky Derby undercard throughout the museum; Food and beverage samples from local restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and wineries; live music by the Barrelhouse Brothers; a Derby-inspired 50/50 raffle and silent auction; and live airing of the Kentucky Derby.
In the spirit of the 75th anniversary, patrons are encouraged to dress in 1950s attire.
All online ticket sales are active until May 3 at 4 p.m., or until the event reaches capacity. For more information, please contact [email protected] or 518-584-0400.
"We are thrilled to be celebrating the rich 75-year history of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame with vibrant new exhibitions and exciting events and programing," museum director Cate Masterson said in a release.
"This is a great opportunity to recognize our roots in the sport and also showcase how we've advanced as an institution while maintaining our core principals of preserving and honoring the great history of American racing."
Special exhibitions include Laying the Foundation: The Architecture of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame (now open in the Museum's Link Gallery), which explores how the museum has evolved since its establishment.
Major additions included the West Wing in 1957, the Walter M. Jeffords Memorial Wing in 1960, the George D. Widener Memorial Wing in 1978, and the Paul Mellon Wing in 2000.
Additional exhibitions will be announced in the spring and will open in June.
The traditional Saratoga summer season will include the Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Friday, Aug. 1, at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion as part of an expanded Hall of Fame Weekend.
Also in conjunction with the annual Saratoga race meet, which runs from Thursday, July 10, to Monday, Sept. 1, the museum will host Saturday Morning Social programs every week from July 5 through Aug. 30; Drop-In Children's Programs from July 16 through Aug. 27; Racing and Rosé Fashion Show (July 19); book signing weekends (July 26 and 27 and Aug. 16 and 17); Partnership and Syndicate Event (Aug. 9), Casino Night to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund and the museum (Aug. 18); McBean Gallery Curator's Tour (Aug. 19); and Travers Eve Wine and Cheese (Aug. 23).
Led by Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, a group of people prominent within the sport of thoroughbred racing founded the National Museum of Racing in 1950.
The Museum's location of Saratoga Springs, home of the oldest Thoroughbred racetrack in the U.S., proved to be an ideal setting.
On Aug. 6, 1951, amid a great deal of fanfare, the museum made its public debut in a temporary location at the Canfield Casino in Congress Park.
"The long-range purpose," Whitney said at the opening in the famous old casino, originally opened by Saratoga racing founder John Morrissey in 1870, "is to build a permanent home for the important memorabilia for the sport whose beginnings in this country antedate by 100 years or more the United States of America."
Joining Whitney in the founding group that signed the charter for the museum were Carleton F. Burke, Kenneth K. Burke, John C. Clark, Nelson Dunstan, Donald P. Ross, F. Skiddy von Stade, John Hay Whitney, and George D. Widener, Jr.
Also recognized as organizers of the museum were Francis Dorsey, Spencer Eddy, Howell E. Jackson, Walter M. Jeffords, Robert F. Kelley, Paul Kerr, Addison Mallery, Denis Mansfield, Dr. Charles H. Strub, and Bryce Wing.
The Museum moved to its permanent home on Union Avenue in 1955 and inducted its first Hall of Fame class that year.
For more information about the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, including upcoming events, please visit www.racingmuseum.org or call (518) 584-0400.
Contact Mike MacAdam at [email protected]. Follow on X @Mike_MacAdam.