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About
the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame
Preserving the past for tomorrow's
players and fans
What is
the Purpose of the Museum?
For those curious about the sport of polo, past, present or future, the
Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame is a rich repository for the story of
American polo. The Museum, a 501 (c) 3, non-profit educational organization,
is home to an extensive collection of historic documents and physical
treasures which include extraordinary works of art, magnificent trophies,
artifacts, books, statistical records, periodicals, films, videos, recordings
and much polo memorabilia.
The Museum is dedicated to the preservation of the grand history and tradition
of the sport of polo for the generations of the future.
What is
the Hall of Fame?
The Hall of Fame at the Museum honors the heroes of the sport, each year
inducting icons of the past and eligible living heroes of polo into the
ranks of the great. The Hall of Fame Induction Awards Dinner Gala
takes place each year on the Friday of President’s Day weekend in
February. This is traditionally the largest fundraising event for the
Museum each year and is attended by the virtual Who's Who of the polo
world. In 2000 “Horses to Remember” was added
to the Hall of Fame to honor the equine heroes of the sport and in 2001
the Hall of Fame added the Philip Iglehart Award for
those individuals who have made exceptional lifetime contributions to
the sport of polo.
How Did
the Museum Begin?
The Museum began as a vision of four polo players, H. Jeremy Chisholm,
Phillip L. B. Iglehart, Leverett S. Miller, and George C. Sherman,
Jr., who had dreamed of establishing a place to honor and preserve
the history of the sport.
What Will
I See at the Museum?
Here is where you can fuel your passion for polo - Every year, new and
exciting exhibits are added to the Museum that are of interest to players
and fans of the sport. There is truly something for everyone.
A permanent
and newly renovated exhibit, a polo timeline of sorts, is a fascinating
journey from the roots of polo which originated in Asia over 2,600 years
ago, through the decades of its evolution in America, to its present day
status as a worldwide sport. Polo has survived and continues to flourish
owing much to the enduring relationship of human and horse which is celebrated
in this exhibit. Other newly added exhibits include fascinating elements
of polo such as “The Polo Pony; An Extraordinary Athlete”,
The History of the Westchester Cup, Women in Polo, Ten Goal Players, Arena
Polo, Horses To Remember Portraits with push-and- play information, Best
Playing Ponies, and the sweeping history of the “Super Bowl”
of polo in America, the United States Open and much more.
Also in the
Museum, visitors can explore the Hall of Fame area, and reflect on the
many magnificent trophies dating from the 1880’s around the time
of the birth of polo in America, a collection that includes artifacts
such as the fabulous silver filigree ball from the Maharaja of
Jaipur and a 19th century trophy designed by English silversmith
Paul Storr, which was donated by Mrs. Helen Boehm
in 1997. There are amazing works of art both old and contemporary. Paintings
by F. B. Voss, G. D. Rowlandson and
Paul Brown are among the artistic treasures of the museum.
A multi-media
theater is a part of the Museum that features important films and videos
of the sport and the library contains many books, journals, magazines,
statistical and written records, all of which are available for research
How Much
Time Do I Need to Spend at the Museum?
When visiting the museum, one should plan to spend about one hour to an
hour and a half to view the exhibits and library. Included in that time
span is the viewing of a wonderful 10-minute film about the Museum of
Polo that also serves as an introduction and explanation of the sport
of polo.
When is
the Museum Open and How Much is Admission?
The Museum is open Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.,
and on Saturdays during the Season only, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Admission is free, donations are appreciated.
The museum
is a source of growing pride in the community as a place for research
and study about a sport that has defined a special segment of our American
heritage.
Location
& Directions:
9011 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth, FL 33467.
Take the Turnpike Exit 93 for Lake Worth Road. We are located just one
mile west of the Turnpike, at the intersection of Lake Worth and Lyons
Road, East of Hwy. 441.
View Larger Map
For more information
about the Museum, please call
(561) 969-3210, Fax: (561) 964-8299,
E-mail us at polomuseum@att.net
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