In this month’s episode an intriguing old poster in the Museum’s collection leads us into the history of horse racing in Collingwood. Get ready for a wild ride as we discuss this popular pastime, some of its key figures (man and beast) and how it was an important part of many community celebrations for over a century.

Following the story we invite our listeners to join us at the museum for Family Day Fun on February 17 and to help us celebrate Heritage Week from February 17-23. We also ask for your help to finish the story! We are hoping that one or more of our listeners (or someone you know) might help us get across the finish line by assisting us in finding some key details about the final races run in Collingwood, and when the old race track was finally removed.

Episode Picture:

Horses racing on the Collingwood race track in front of the Grand Stand, 1907. [Collingwood Museum Collection X974.774.1]

Miles, Anita. “The Chicago of the North” Collingwood. 2004 p83.

Collingwood a Century in Confederation. N.p. n.p., p.26

The Story of Collingwood: 1858-1958,The Enterprise-Bulletin Presses Ltd., 1958. p. 43-44.

https://collingwoodsportshalloffame.ca/?p=22

https://collingwoodsportshalloffame.ca/?p=111

“Lighting a Fire” Season 1, Episode 9 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/Lighting-a-Fire-e17k586