Goshen, NY — The Harness Racing Museum will open its doors free of charge on Saturday September 23, 2017, as part of Smithsonian magazine's thirteenth annual Museum Day Live!, an initiative in which participating museums across the United States emulate the spirit of the Smithsonian Institution's Washington DC-based facilities, which offer free admission every day, and open their doors for free to those who download a Museum Day Live! ticket.

Smithsonian recognizes the extraordinary power of museums, and other cultural institutions, to provide visitors with insight and inspiration. The event represents a nationwide commitment to boundless curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge wherever you are. Over 200,000 people downloaded tickets for last year's event, and this year's event is expected to attract more museum-goers than ever before.

"Building a shared vocabulary of art and history are essential to the formation of strong communities and that is why we feel it is so important for us to be involved with Smithsonian magazine's Museum Day Live!," said Harness Racing Museum director Janet Terhune.

The Harness Racing Museum is located in the scenic village of Goshen, NY. The Tudor style architecture of the original 1913 stable, in which the museum is partially housed, provides the backdrop for displays of art and artifacts relating to the history of the American-born sport of harness racing and the Standardbred horse. Visitors experience interactive exhibitry, informative films and a timeline of the sport's history from its late 18th century New York roots through today. Visitors can also experience the thrill of racing first hand with a ride on the museum's 3D simulator.

The Museum Day Live! ticket is available for download at Smithsonian.com/museumday. Visitors who present the Museum Day Live! ticket will gain free entrance for two at participating venues on September 23, 2017. One ticket per email address is permitted.

For more information about Museum Day Live! 2017 and a full list of participating museums and cultural institutions, please visit Smithsonian.com/museumday.

For further information about the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame, please visit our website at www.harnessmuseum.com or call 845-294-6330. The Museum is located at 240 Main Street, Goshen, NY and is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

About Smithsonian Media

Smithsonian Media is comprised of its flagship publication, Smithsonian magazine, Air & Space magazine, Smithsonian Books, and the Smithsonian Media Digital Network. In addition, Smithsonian Media oversees the Smithsonian Institution's interest in the Smithsonian Channel, a joint venture between the Smithsonian Institution and CBS/Showtime. Smithsonian Media is a division of Smithsonian Enterprises, the revenue-generating business unit of the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum and research complex consisting of 20 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park, and nine research facilities. Approximately 30 million people from around the world visit the museums annually. (smithsonian.com / si.edu)

PRESS CONTACT

Kristin Stiles | High10 Media, for Smithsonian magazine Museum Day Live!

Kristin@high10media.com | 212-918-2026