National Sporting Library & Museum

National Sporting Library & Museum The National Sporting Library and Museum is dedicated to preserving, promoting and sharing the literature, art, and culture of equestrian and field sports.
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https://nationalsporting.org/
The National Sporting Library & Museum in Middleburg, Virginia, is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and sharing the literature, art, and culture of equestrian, angling, and field sports. Founded in 1954, the Library has over 20,000 books dating from the 16th–21st centuries. The Museum houses a permanent collection of over 1300 pieces and hosts exhibitions of Americ

an and European fine sporting art. Information is shared through exhibitions, lectures, seminars, educational programs, publications and special events. The NSLM is proud to welcome researchers, scholars, and members of the community to explore our collections. For more information, visit www.nationalsporting.org.

05/29/2026

Happy Fiddian Green Friday!

This week, hear from Elena Jaques, our Graphic Design Coordinator, as she shares her thoughts on why “Trojan Head” is one of her favorite sculptures featured in “Nic Fiddian Green: Spiritus Equus.”

Don’t forget to follow along every Friday, and be sure to visit the NSLM to experience the exhibition in person!

Open Late is almost HERE! This summer, get ready to experience the best free concert series around with incredible music...
05/28/2026

Open Late is almost HERE! This summer, get ready to experience the best free concert series around with incredible music and family fun on the NSLM lawn. 🎶

Join us on Friday, June 26, from 6–8 pm to kick off the series with the and their lively jazz and swing sound. Pack your dancing shoes, picnic baskets, blankets, and lawn chairs. Arrive early and take some time to explore the museum before the music starts! Concessions and refreshments will be available, parking is free, and leashed pets are welcome! Please note: no glass bottles or outside alcohol permitted.

We invite you to visit the Town of Middleburg early to support local businesses and be on the lookout during the event for some extra fun from our community partners, including Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area, Highland School, and Blue Ridge Wildlife Center.

For more information, call (540) 687-6542 x26

05/27/2026

Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States with us! On view in the Museum from now until January 10, 2027, "America 250: Sports at the Founding" is a fresh focus gallery curated from our permanent collection that highlights popular country sports of early Americans.

Plan to ponder the gallery during our open hours: Thursday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm.
Learn more here:

https://www.nationalsporting.org/index.php/nslm/exhibition_details/1609

Tickets are still available! Join us on Thursday, June 11 from 5–7 pm for an elegant reception, discussion, and book sig...
05/26/2026

Tickets are still available! Join us on Thursday, June 11 from 5–7 pm for an elegant reception, discussion, and book signing with garden historian Linda Jane Holden on her acclaimed book, "The Gardens of Bunny Mellon."

From the private gardens of Oak Spring to the iconic White House Rose Garden, Holden shares rare insights, sketches, photographs, and personal stories gathered through extensive interviews with Mellon herself.

“For admirers of the inimitable style of Bunny Mellon…'The Gardens of Bunny Mellon' is a tome to treasure.” — Architectural Digest

The book will be available for purchase at the program or online.
Reserve your tickets today: https://www.nationalsporting.org/index.php/nslm/event_details/1614/

This Memorial Day, we pause to remember the men, women, and animals whose service and sacrifice shape our nation’s histo...
05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we pause to remember the men, women, and animals whose service and sacrifice shape our nation’s history.

A long-standing fixture of our campus, Tessa Pullan’s "Civil War Horse" honors the horses and mules who served and perished during the American Civil War. Commissioned by Paul Mellon, the sculpture was intentionally designed not to represent Union or Confederate sides, but to honor the often-overlooked equine casualties of war.

Tessa Pullan (English, b. 1953)
Civil War Horse, 1997
bronze, 52 x 76 x 28 inches
National Sporting Library & Museum
Bequest of Mr. Paul Mellon, 1999

05/22/2026

Fiddian Green Fridays continue with Lauren Kraut, NSLM Sr. Collections Manager and Registrar, who shares her knowledge of “Horse at Water,” one of the 27 striking sculptures featured in “Nic Fiddian Green: Spiritus Equus.”

Stay tuned for next Friday's video and, in the meantime, visit the NSLM to see this monumental exhibition!

Our NSLM team had the great pleasure of attending the eighteenth annual Dolley Madison Legacy Luncheon at Montpelier. On...
05/21/2026

Our NSLM team had the great pleasure of attending the eighteenth annual Dolley Madison Legacy Luncheon at Montpelier. On behalf of Mrs. Jacqueline B. Mars, NSLM President & CEO Elizabeth von Hassell graciously accepted the Dolley Madison Legacy Award, with an eloquently executed speech. Mrs. Mars' dedication to the arts, history, and equestrian traditions continues to make a lasting impact. 🏇

Thank you to Mrs. Mars and Montpelier for an unforgettable celebration of Dolley Madison's 258th birthday and her indelible impact on all of us!

Back by popular demand! 🎨 Join artist Megan Lark Caldwell for a 2-day Landscape Oil Painting Workshop at the NSLM on Jun...
05/20/2026

Back by popular demand! 🎨 Join artist Megan Lark Caldwell for a 2-day Landscape Oil Painting Workshop at the NSLM on June 23–24 from 11 am–1 pm.

Whether you’re picking up a paintbrush for the first time or looking to refresh your skills, this hands-on workshop offers a fun and supportive environment to explore landscape oil painting. Learn foundational techniques, experiment with expressive color, and create your own finished painting to take home.

All materials are provided, and class size is limited to ensure personalized instruction. This workshop filled up quickly before, so reserve your spot ASAP!

https://www.nationalsporting.org/index.php/nslm/event_details/1623/2026/06/23/

From monumental to miniature, the equine sculptures of Nic Fiddian Green amaze visitors of all sizes!Plan your next fami...
05/18/2026

From monumental to miniature, the equine sculptures of Nic Fiddian Green amaze visitors of all sizes!

Plan your next family outing to see "Nic Fiddian Green: Spiritus Equus" on view at the NSLM until September 12. Learn more about the exhibition and plan your trip here: https://www.nationalsporting.org/index.php/nslm/exhibition_details/1589

05/15/2026

Introducing Fiddian Green Fridays!

Every Friday, a member of the NSLM team will spotlight their favorite piece from our blockbuster exhibition “Nic Fiddian Green: Spiritus Equus.” We’re kicking off our series with the earliest piece in the exhibition, "Transcription Project," with insightful commentary from Claudia Pfeiffer, the George L. Ohrstrom, Jr. Deputy Director & Head Curator.

Enjoy the video, then stay tuned each Friday for more videos! Which piece are you most excited to see highlighted?

Credit: Pheidias (Greek, 438 BCE-432 BCE), "Marble statue from the East Pediment of the Parthenon: Horse of Selene". marble, 24 5/8 x 32 3/4 x 13 1/8 inches, The British Museum, © The Trustees of the British Museum

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102 The Plains Road
Middleburg, VA
20117

Opening Hours

Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

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