Meadow Event Park

rdf:langString Meadow Event Park

rdf:langString Location in the United States

rdf:langString Location in Virginia

rdf:langString Meadow

rdf:langString Event Park

rdf:langString The Meadow Event Park in Doswell, Virginia, is also called "The Meadow" and hosts the annual State Fair of Virginia. It was first called Meadow Stables. On March 14, 2013, the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation bought the State Fair of Virginia and The Meadow Event Park from Universal Fairs LLC of Cordova, Tennessee. The Meadow Event Park also hosts other events. The historic structures of the Thoroughbred farm are still on the 331-acre (1.34 km2) site. The Meadow has the distinction of being the birthplace of Thoroughbred racing legend Secretariat, 1973 Triple Crown champion. The original barns that housed Secretariat, Riva Ridge, and earlier Meadow Stable champions have been preserved including the foaling shed where Secretariat was born on March 30, 1970. Meadow Hall showcases the Meadow Champions Galleries, the Triple Crown Room and the Museum of the Virginia Horse. Each spring, fans from all over the country flock to The Meadow for the annual Secretariat Birthday Celebration. In the fall, the State Fair features a Salute to Secretariat. The history of The Meadow dates back to 1805, when Dr. Charles D. Morris purchased 4,000 acres (16 km2) and made it his family's home for the next 100 years. The farm was sold out of the family in the early 1900s, but in 1936, Christopher Chenery, a Morris descendant, bought it back and transformed it into one of the most renowned Thoroughbred farms of its time. His daughter, Penny Chenery, continued his work, achieving success with Riva Ridge and Secretariat. In 1972, Riva Ridge won the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes and was fourth in the Preakness (on a muddy track). Wearing the same blue and white checkered silks in 1973, Secretariat became the first horse in twenty-five (25) years to win the Triple Crown and the only champion to break all three track records, which still stand fifty (50) years later. The Meadow was sold by Chenery family in 1979. Most of the property was divided into smaller parcels. The rest of the farm often changed hands over the years. The venue has been owned by the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation since March 14, 2013. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as The Meadow Historic District in 2015. The Meadow's history includes the African American grooms that are mentioned in the National Park Service application. Another honor for Meadow Farms and Secretariat is an official roadside historic marker from Virginia. The inscription is: MEADOW FARMS BIRTHPLACE OF SECRETARIAT Virginia Marker ND 10 MEADOW FARM BIRTHPLACE OF SECRETARIAT This famous horse breeding farm was established in 1936 by Christopher T. Chenery and continued under the management of his daughter, Helen "Penny" Chenery until 1979. Secretariat (1970-1989), also known as "Big Red", a bright chestnut stallion with a white star and narrow stripe which captured the Triple Crown in 1973, was born and trained there. "Big Red" won at the Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths. Other notable Thoroughbreds such as Riva Ridge, Hill Prince and First Landing also were raised at Meadow Farm. Department of Historic Resources, 1990