Hoyt races on with new exhibit

the vindicator

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Plans for Valley View Downs remain on hold, but the Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts, 124 E. Leasure St., is moving forward with its next exhibition, “The Story of Harness Racing by Currier & Ives,” which opens Tuesday and runs through Oct. 23 in the main galleries.

Originally planned to correspond with the opening of the Valley View Downs racetrack, the exhibit provides the historical context behind the sport, using more than 30 prints by Currier & Ives, storyboards, teacher guides and lesson plans.

Nathaniel Currier (1813-88) and James Ives (1824-95) were horse-racing men.

The famed print-makers made more than 1 million prints, and 10 percent of them depicted a trotting horse.

Harness racing, or trotting as it was originally termed, was one of America’s pastimes in the 19th century.

It consists of a special breed of horse, called a Standardbred, pulling a two-wheeled cart, called a sulky, around a track that is typically one mile long.

In America’s formative years, nearly every household had a horse. Inevitably people began to want to see which one was faster.

Races initially took place in barn wagons on country roads and village streets.

But as these contests grew more popular, racetracks were built and equipment developed to accommodate the growing audiences.

The first harness-racing track opened sometime in the mid-1800s, although noted races can be traced back to as early as 1825.

By the late 19th century, harness racing was the most popular sport in the country with stories and race results appearing regularly in newspapers and other periodicals.

Yet without the advancement of photography to illustrate the excitement, publishers turned to firms such as Currier & Ives to provide images for the curious public.

Curated by The Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in Goshen, N.Y., the Hoyt exhibit uses the art form to explore the sport.

A public reception will take place at the Hoyt Institute from 2-4 p.m. Aug. 9. Admission is free.

Regular gallery hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.