National Museum Of Polo Reaching Fundraising Goal, Donations Still Welcome
The National Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, where history is kept and dreams begin, is reaching its fundraising goal for a new annex to the Lake Worth facility.
George DuPont, Jr., executive director of the museum and its Board of Directors, including vice president Melissa Ganzi of Grand Champions Polo Club, have worked tirelessly to generate funds and raise awareness about the museum.
The museum building, opened in 1997 in Lake Worth, houses polo records and memorabilia and honors those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to polo.
It has become the site for several functions including the annual Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremonies and most recently the Women’s Championship Tournament’s kick-off party.
The museum is a not-for-profit educational organization which continues to promote the sport for future generations.
“Like any and all museums, we are preserving yesterday for tomorrow,” DuPont said.
The museum was built in three phases. The main building was constructed first. The U.S. Polo Association offices were later added.
The third phase, which the fundraising effort will support, includes expansion for more exhibition space (2,000 square feet).
“It will be a big area to do a little more,” DuPont said. “There will be more room for lectures and meetings and a bigger media room. We plan to move the library back. The expansion will be on the north side.”
Donations are still being solicited in the U.S. and around the world.
“We are nearing our fundraising goal, we are three quarters of the way there,” DuPont said. “We see the light at the end of the tunnel and going ahead with the architect and permit work.
“The Palm Beach community has a good interest in history,” DuPont said. “Some of the old families of polo who don’t play anymore, second and third generation polo families and the general public have shown their support and contributed.”
DuPont said he would like to have the new addition up and running by the 2014 polo season. Permits are expected to be applied for in May and groundbreaking is tentatively set for August or September.
The museum will remain open throughout the construction process. Donations are still be accepted and can be mailed to the museum.
Piaget team captain Melissa Ganzi is passionate about not only preserving the sport’s history but promoting polo to a diverse population by staging juniors tournaments, women’s tournaments, Gay Polo League International Tournament which begins on Friday and fall and spring polo seasons at the Ganzi family’s Wellington-based Grand Champions Polo Club.
National Museum of Polo & Hall of Fame
Where: 9011 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth.
For Information: Call 561-969-3210 or 561-969-7015
About the museum: 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 the sport’s heritage.
Museum hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and on Saturdays during the season, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission is free.