National Sporting Library - About the National Sporting Library & Museum

The National Sporting Library - A Research Center for Horse and Field Sports

HISTORY

George L. Ohrstrom Sr., president of the Orange County Hunt in The Plains, Va., and Alexander Mackay-Smith MFH, editor of The Chronicle of the Horse in Middleburg, founded the National Sporting Library in 1954, encouraged by Ohrstrom's foxhunting friends Lester Karow of Georgia and Orange County MFH Fletcher Harper. These colleagues wanted book collections such as theirs to remain intact after their deaths; they contacted other friends, who liked the idea, and the collection rapidly grew. From its inception, the NSL was a non-circulating research library, and its founders encouraged anyone interested in horse and field sports to come in and enjoy the books, magazines, and unpublished papers.

When Ohrstrom Sr. died in 1955, his son George Ohrstrom Jr. became the guiding force behind the Library until his death in 2005; he was Chairman of the Board for 48 of the Library's 50-year history. Mackay-Smith was its first director, from 1954 until 1991 when Peter Winants succeeded him. In 1998 Ken Tomlinson took Winants' place. Nancy Parsons was President & CEO 2005 through mid-August 2009. The Library's collection was first housed in an 18th century brick house on Washington St. (Rt. 50) in Middleburg before moving to the 1804 red brick building on the seven-acre Vine Hill property (pictured above). Vine Hill is adjacent to the facility that opened in 1999; both are at the corner of Route 50 and The Plains Rd just west of town.Until the late 1990s, both the NSL and The Chronicle of the Horse occupied this handsome pre-Civil War edifice, which the Library plans convert to an art museum in the near future. In 1999, after Jack and Martha Daniels donated a spectacular 5,000-volume collection of sporting books, the Library moved to a new 15,000-square-foot, climate-controlled facility. The new building, which resembles a 19th century carriage house, today houses more than 15,000 books. Its other important collections include the extraordinary Hünersdorf Collection, donated by the Ohrstrom Foundation; 102 sporting books from the estate of Harry T. Peters MFH; and the famed Huth-Lonsdale Library, donated by Russell Arundel and his family. The Library also houses the outstanding collection of Vladimir Littauer, the famous proponent of forward riding. These rare books are housed in the F. Ambrose Rare Book Room.

The opening of the Library's new home in 1999 ushered in a new and exciting era. Today, the Library offers educational lectures, book-signings and film-screenings, frequently held in the spacious Founders' Room. Art exhibits include paintings and bronzes from rarely-seen private collections and from museums; these are displayed in the Paul Mellon Foyer, the Founders' Room, and in the Forrest E. Mars Sr. Exhibit Hall. Art from the Library's permanent collection is found throughout the Library, including eye-catching weathervanes from the estate of the late philanthropist Paul Mellon. Paul Mellon also donated the bronze Civil War Horse (dedicated in 2002), a memorial on the NSL campus to the 1 1/2 million horses and mules which died in the Civil War.

In 2007, the Library launched the John H. Daniels Fellowship program. Named in honor of former member of the Board of Directors, John H. Daniels (1921-2006), the fellowship provides research stipends and complimentary housing in Middleburg for scholars and researchers working on topics related to horse and field sports. Since 2007, the Library has hosted fifteen fellows from all over the United States and from three foreign countries. The fellows have worked on a variety of topics, including a biography of Battleship, winner of the 1938 Grand National Steeplechase; hunting imagery in 18th-century French portraiture; the evolution of hound breeds in 18th-century Britain; 16th and 17th century Italian horsemanship manuals; American stable design; and the literary duo of Edith Somerville and Martin Ross.

Through the generosity of an anonymous donor, in 2008 the Library launched its annual Public Lecture Series. The series funds a series of free Saturday lectures on topics related to horse and field sports. One lecture per year is devoted to sporting art, and one per year to a children's or youth program. Past lectures include “Horses, Windmills and Skaters: Images of Pleasure and Purpose in the Dutch Republic” by noted art historian Arthur K. Wheelock, Jr. (February 2009), "Falconry: An Introduction to a Royal Sport" by falconer, Barbara duPont, and the Virginia Falconers Association (November 2008), and “Travels with Secretariat: A Triple Crown Odyssey,” by racing journalist, William Nack (October 2008).

In 2008, the Board of Directors announced their campaign to establish a world-class museum of sporting art next door to the Library at Vine Hill. Groundbreaking for a new wing for Vine Hill occured on September 19, 2009, with a target date for opening in Spring 2011. Known as the National Sporting Art Museum, the museum will feature 11 galleries featuring temporary exhibitions and the permanent collection. In April 2010, the Board of Directors also announced a new name for the institution, the National Sporting Library & Fine Art Museum, to reflect the addition of the museum, which was subsequently shortened to its current name, the National Sporting Library & Museum.

USE

Researchers, students, passers-by, residents, tourists and visitors are all welcome to peruse the NSL's collections on the premises. (The Library does not loan books to individuals.) Those who cannot visit in person may be able to access library materials via interlibrary loan through their local library (see the Services page).

The Library has an active membership organization, The Friends of the National Sporting Library. Library members receive notices of lectures, exhibitions and other events, as well as the NSL Newsletter, which publishes articles on current and historic issues, book reviews and information about library activities. Members can also bid on rare and contemporary books in the Library's annual Duplicate Book Sale, a silent auction held each fall that is restricted to members of the Library.

We are not part of the Loudoun County Public Library system. The nearest county library is the Middleburg Library, located at 101 Reed St. Phone: 540-687-5730.

MISSION

To preserve and to share the art, literature and culture of horse and field sports.

MIDDLEBURG AREA

Located in western Loudoun County just 42 miles from Washington, D.C., Middleburg, Virginia is located in the heart of horse country and is an exciting destination for shopping, dining, and equestrian events. For more information about Middleburg and Loudoun County and to view calendars of local events, visit Middleburg Online and the Loudoun County Visitors Bureau. The Pink Box, Middleburg's Visitor's Center, is located a few blocks from the Library at 12 North Madison St. (540-687-8888) and provides brochures and information about area attractions and events.

View or download a PDF map of Middleburg with locations, directions, restaurants, and a list of local hotels or view list of hotels or download the list in rich text format version.

BOOK AND ART APPRAISALS

The National Sporting Library & Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and therefore cannot offer appraisals of books and art. If you are interested in purchasing books or having them appraised, check out the page of booksellers who specialize in our areas of interest. Visit the website Appraisers.org for a list of certified art dealers and appraisers.