Horses in Petersburg - June 2 Presentation


PETERSBURG, VA–– The Historic Petersburg Foundation’s history committee is sponsoring a free presentation entitled “Horses in Petersburg” on Thursday, June 2, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. Speakers will include a variety of equine experts from the region who will discuss the many roles horses have played throughout the history of Petersburg, from power source and primary method of transportation to the foundation of many recreational pastimes still enjoyed today.

The program will take place at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 110 N. Union Street, Petersburg, VA. Free parking is available in the church parking lot behind the church on Market Street.

The panel of speakers and their topics will include Michelle Olgers, whipper-in, Reedy Creek Hounds, McKenney, VA, who will give an overview of the sport of fox hunting, including past and current hunts in the Petersburg area. Her talk will be accompanied by a photographic essay of the sport, featuring photos taken of Reedy Creek Hounds by professional photographer and Amelia County resident, Jody Ciliberto.

 Also featured will be Peggy E. C. Lee, retired Virginia State University professor, who will talk about great African-American jockeys of the 18th and early 19th centuries. D. Eugene Atkinson, chairman of Historic Petersburg Foundation’s history committee, will speak about horse racing in Petersburg, including the historically prominent racetrack, New Market Race Course, on the ground of what is now part of Petersburg National Battlefield’s Fort Steadman. Other speakers and horse related topics will also be featured.

Virginia's horse tradition dates back 400 years, to when horses accompanied some of the first settlers in Jamestown. Since then, Virginian’s special relationship with the horse has never waned. The Commonwealth has been home to some of the most notable breeds in the world—nurturing the Thoroughbred and actually birthing the Quarter Horse—as well as to some of the most famous individual horses, including racing’s Triple Crown champion Secretariat and Misty of Chincoteague, one of the most beloved horses in all of children's literature,

Some of Virginia’s most significant historical figures have enjoyed a special bond with horses as well, from George Washington—whom Thomas Jefferson called "the best horseman of his age"—to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, who rode into battle on his well-known gray, Traveller.

The history of the city of Petersburg cannot be fully told without mention of the many livelihoods—from livery stable workers and stagecoach drivers to farmers, farriers and veterinarians—who have relied on and been sustained over the centuries by this noble animal. Nor can we fully understand what life was like in Petersburg in the 18th and 19th centuries without exploring the fascination its early residents had with horse racing and fox hunting.

The Historic Petersburg Foundation (HPF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to leading the preservation and restoration of Petersburg's historic architecture, its neighborhoods and to tell their story.
For more information on the presentation, call HPF at (804) 732-2096.