This week we corresponded with Stephen Thompson, blogger and soon-to-be webmaster of Maine's Lost Trotting Parks. After working with his cousin, Clark P. Thompson, author of Maine's Trotting Horse Heritage Trail published in 2009, Stephen was inspired to uncover Maine's harness racing heritage by locating the sites of some of the most popular trotting parks of the 1800s.
What drew you to researching the history of Maine's trotting parks?
My research with Maine's lost trotting parks started when I helped my cousin, Clark Thompson of Bangor, Maine, locate the fairgrounds of the North Kennebec Agricultural and Horticultural Society. With the lack of a museum for Maine Trotting Horse History, Clark decided to establish the Maine Trotting Horse Heritage Trail. As described in his book, twenty inscribed granite markers have been placed from Old Orchard Beach to Dover-Foxcroft. Each marker celebrates a significant event in Maine trotting horse history.
With this as a beginning, I realized that Maine at one time had many trotting parks and today most of them are gone.
Clark and I are also researching Maine's famous trotting stallion Nelson and Sunnyside Farm which was owned by Charles Horace Nelson. We are searching for lost memorabilia, paintings, photographs, and trophies. These items are either lost forever or may be part of private collections.
What would you consider the ultimate goal of the project?
The ultimate goal of the project is to bring greater visibility, appreciation, and understanding of Maine's trotting horse history, the Standardbred horse, and agricultural societies and their fairs. The standard-bred horse played a big role in our history -- a work horse, transportation, and racing.
How would you describe the significance of cataloguing the trotting park sites?
Cataloguing the history of Maine's trotting park sites bring to light both a past way of life and a place where people attended events for personal enjoyment and educational purposes. Today, many Mainers are not aware of this rich history. It is a small part of our history, yet it too has it moments of mystery and intrigue.
What has been your most rewarding discovery on the project to date?
Researching the history of Sunnyside Farm and the trotting stallion Nelson has been a challenging and time consuming project. Clark has spent many more hours reading newspapers accounts from the 1890's. Our research has involved genealogical work, time at the Kennebec Registry of Deeds, and interviewing wonderful people who volunteer their time at local historical societies and local government.
Describe your involvement with the sport of harness racing.
What would you consider the ultimate goal of the project?
The ultimate goal of the project is to bring greater visibility, appreciation, and understanding of Maine's trotting horse history, the Standardbred horse, and agricultural societies and their fairs. The standard-bred horse played a big role in our history -- a work horse, transportation, and racing.
How would you describe the significance of cataloguing the trotting park sites?
Cataloguing the history of Maine's trotting park sites bring to light both a past way of life and a place where people attended events for personal enjoyment and educational purposes. Today, many Mainers are not aware of this rich history. It is a small part of our history, yet it too has it moments of mystery and intrigue.
What has been your most rewarding discovery on the project to date?
Researching the history of Sunnyside Farm and the trotting stallion Nelson has been a challenging and time consuming project. Clark has spent many more hours reading newspapers accounts from the 1890's. Our research has involved genealogical work, time at the Kennebec Registry of Deeds, and interviewing wonderful people who volunteer their time at local historical societies and local government.
Describe your involvement with the sport of harness racing.
In reality I have little involvement with Maine's harness racing industry. However, I do find its history intriguing. Much of this history is passing us by. Now is the time to make good effort to capture this history before it is gone. Perhaps that's my greatest motivation.
Thanks, Stephen! Don't forget to visit his blog for insights and great images of Maine's harness racing history.
Thanks, Stephen! Don't forget to visit his blog for insights and great images of Maine's harness racing history.
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