DOSWELL, Va. — A new exhibit paying tribute to Penny Chenery, owner of Triple Crown champion Secretariat, will debut at the State Fair of Virginia. The exhibit, which will honor her legacy at the birthplace of Secretariat, will serve as the highlight of the Meadow Hall tours during the fair.
Chenery, who was revered as “The First Lady of Racing” and “The Mistress of The Meadow,” died last year at 95. The exhibit will be the first-ever public display of her riding jacket, jodhpurs and boots, along with other personal items on loan from her family.
“We are extremely grateful to the Tweedy family, who shared their mother with millions of fans and are now sharing these special personal items with us at The Meadow,” said Leeanne Ladin, Secretariat tourism manager and historian. “Penny was a very generous supporter of our Secretariat Birthplace tours, and this is an especially appropriate way to honor her memory on the first anniversary of her passing, since she loved The Meadow and loved riding over its beautiful fields.”
An accomplished horsewoman, Chenery was captain of the equestrian team at the Madeira School in McLean, rode horses at The Meadow and fox hunted at her home in Denver. The exhibit also includes the uniform she wore when serving in the American Red Cross in France during World War II. Framed photos depicting the young Chenery will complete the display.
The mansion tours also include a display of the fox hunting attire and riding boots worn by Chenery’s father, Christopher Chenery, other family items, a bronze tabletop sculpture of Secretariat and galleries depicting the history of Meadow Stable.
The 2018 State Fair of Virginia will run Sept. 28 through Oct. 7 at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County.
The tours will take place three times a day on the two weekends of the fair, Sept. 29-30 and Oct. 6-7, at noon and 3 and 6 p.m. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased in advance at StateFairVa.org or onsite at the Secretariat booth behind Meadow Hall.
The regular Secretariat Birthplace Tours, which include Meadow Hall and the historic barns, will resume after the fair. See MeadowEventPark.com/secretariat-birthplace-tours to book a tour.
— Virginia Farm Bureau Federation
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES
The 153rd South Carolina State Fair returns Oct. 12-23, with a full lineup of traditional favorites and a variety of new rides, foods, entertainment, as well as a traveling moon exhibition and the return of the CIRCUS at the Fair. “As the state’s largest event, we take pride that we’re able to showcase South Carolina’s best in […]
WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Big E is back and better than ever! With more food, fun, music and must-see attractions, you won’t want to miss a thing! Here is the most up-to-date information on this year’s Fair. Please note: All information is subject to change. Entertainment: From major headliners with chart-topping hits, to up […]
REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — Ohioans can start planning visits to all of their favorite fairs across the state. The Ohio Department of Agriculture has released the official dates for the 2022 fair season, which includes Ohio’s 94 county and independent fairs and the Ohio State Fair. The Paulding County Fair will kick off the 2022 fair […]