aiken thoroughbred racing hall of fame and museum

The saddest thing about this little gem is the lost potential. You walk into a really neat building and its beauty touches you. The docent, nice enough. doesn't move from their desk so you wander around aimlessly, w/o any story. What could be done? You walk over the threshold and a tape is playing... " Around the far turn, its 'racehorse name'... he's pulling ahead, he ahead by 1 length, now two... etc." the roar of the crowd. You walk in further, the docent tells you the best way to tour, what to look for. You see the various TV screens and with a little interaction you watch a little video. Then you wander outside and peak into the famous stalls of the famous 'residents' There.. another little button is pushed an a tape plays about the horse who lived there. So sad and so stagnant. The park is beautiful so its setting is perfect.

The museum is surrounded by a beautiful park with ponds and walking paths. The museum is done by donation and it is a 2 story building with stairs. Mostly centered around the Aiken race track and winners from there and also where they have won other races. A must for horse lovers or especially racers.

There is nothing fancy or complicated about what they do here. They have dozens of displays describing individual horses that have made significant contributions to thoroughbred racing that have connections to Aiken, the most recent being Palace Malice. Very interesting, and worth an hour or so visit.

It was a small museum, which was fine with me, as I don't follow horse racing. If you are involved in Aiken horse racing, they had trophies, articles, etc. about various race horses and owners. I wouldn't suggest going to Hopeland Gardens just for the museum unless you are an avid racing fan.

Stop in to learn about Aiken's equine history, including those great thoroughbreds who trained in Aiken & went on to racing fame.

This attraction is located on the grounds of Hopeland Gardens and covers the history of thoroughbred racing and its roots in Aiken. Very informative and educational for the family.

Located within Hopeland Garden, the attendant never smiled. She also acted like you were ignorant if you had any questions about horses or racing. The museum collects donations and I left a $3.00 donation that was $2.75 too much for the welcome I received.

Impressive collection of memorabilia in a "winter cottage" stable. Admission free, donations accepted. Adjacent to the beautiful Hopelands Gardens and Hitchcock Woods. A must for visitors to Aiken.

Located in Hopeland Gardens, the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame Museum is housed in what was once the stables of the family who owned Hopeland. Since Aiken is a well known place for training race horses that go on to become famous, anyone who has an interest in the racing world will find much to delight them in this sweet little museum. Free Admission but you can make a donation which they greatly appreciate.

Located in a former carriage house and stables on the grounds of Hopelands Gardens since 1977 this museum highlights the accomplishments of local Aiken Training track champion Thoroughbreds (39 of them to be exact). So many racing trophies and silver mint julep cups are exhibited there as well as fascinating old photos, articles and some actual racing silks! Upstairs in the museum are areas that will debute in Fall of 2014 -- a horse racing research library, a children's learning area with blackboards at the perfect reach for small ones to use and a replica of what a horse groom's living quarters looked like back in the day.

It was interesting, to say the least, to find out the rich history of thoroughbred racing existing in Aiken County. I wish I would've had more than an hour or so to explore. The staff person hand was very knowledgeable and polite.

I visited as a part of the Lights Before. Christmas with my children. It was an amazing surprise! I never expected so much information and such knowledgable attendants. This is a must see.

Beautifully done. Educational exhibits, fun activities for kids. Lots of history. Tour for 30 minutes or hours. Very friendly volunteers will answer questions.

I have been visiting and enjoying this museum since it opened. If you love horses and horse racing, make sure to take the time to visit. Best of all it is free.

I only go when it is Christmas time and I always enjoy it. I see the lights at Hopeland Gardens and then get hot chocolate and cookes and go through the museum.