The Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame names a new Chairman
Martin Cregg has succeeded long-time Chairman Steve Orthwein.
The Museum is the only Museum in the world solely dedicated to the sport of Polo. This is especially interesting as it is a bigger sport in the UK and Argentina than here. The Museum was founded by a small group of polo players in the US led by Philip Iglehart who believed the sport would benefit from an effort to preserve the history and traditions of the sport. Polo more than most sports tends to include a commitment to a lifestyle of living near farms and facilities which enable the sport, and require a dedication to the horses who are the backbone of the sport.
By developing the museum, Philip Iglehart created a venue and ongoing effort that is totally supported by the current Board of Directors and volunteers who are enriching the facility and the memorabilia contained within. From the spark in Philip’s eye to it’s current grandeur, the museum has become the premier destination for those interested in learning about the sport, celebrating the history and hall of famers who’ve played the game at such a high level to create the interest that exists in the sport today.
It also recognizes the hundreds of clubs, celebrates intercollegiate and interscholastic polo, men’s, women’s and children’s participation at all levels of skill, and the horses who’ve been inducted into the Museum’s Horses to Remember exhibit. The museum has the most extensive collection of books, movies/videos, and memorabilia anywhere in the world. It is the home for the US Open trophy, the Senior’s trophy, and many other of the notable tournament trophies and awards in the sport. The Museum is also now the home office location for the USPA, the governing body for the sport in the US, and is strategically located in Lake Worth, adjacent to Wellington FL the winter home of the sport in the US where the major high goal tournaments are played including the US Open, the Silver Cup and many 16, 20 22, and 26 goal tournaments.
The Museum is open all year, and is free for visitors, and is 100% funded by giving and ongoing activities.
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. In recent years, foreign players are eligible to be inducted if they have made significant contributions to polo in the United States, thereby leading the way for players such as Gonzalo Pieres, Gonzalo Tanoira and Julian Hipwood to be inducted. There are currently 72 members in the Hall of Fame. 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. This past February, the following were the latest inductees into the Hall of Fame categories: Stephen Orthwein (living Hall of Fame inductee), Charles Cary Rumsey (posthumous Hall of Fame Inductee), Merle Jenkins (Living Iglehart award inductee), Jules Romfh (posthumous Iglehart Award Inductee) and the horses Devereux Milburn’s Tenby and Tommy Wayman’s La Fortuna. 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.
How Did the Museum Begin?
During a lunchtime discussion in 1978, the concept of the Museum was born 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. A temporary site was established at the Kentucky Horse Park and as the idea took hold and the collections started to grow, it became apparent that a permanent and larger site was needed. After a massive fundraising effort, the permanent site was selected and, the Museum was built, on time and under budget, to open in February 1997 at the current location in Lake Worth, Florida.
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, 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.