Narragansett Park

Updates later this year!

2010-07-16T06:03:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

Many apologies for the lack of updates this year. My little sister is getting married within a few weeks and just after that I am moving to my own little farm here in town. Suffice to say I have not had a lot of time for website updates.

I am still collecting information, so please continue to send it.

Thank you for your continued interest in the Gansett site and for helping to preserve history!

Corrie~

2010-02-03T15:37:00.000-08:00

double post

At long last!

2010-01-14T20:07:00.000-08:00

Updates to the website have finally been done! I apologize about the delay. Lots of new pictures of memorabilia, horses and more have been added. Still alot of work to go on the site, but with the wonderful contributions people have been offering it has made it easier to piece things together.

Thanks to everyone who visits the site and keeps the memory of Gansett alive.

Happy New Year!

Corrie~

Back in business!

2009-08-19T08:56:00.001-07:00

hello everyone,

Many apologies with no updates at all in QUITE a long time. That should be changing soon. I have many new Gansett items I have acquired from a number of sources and plan to be updating very soon.

I also have returned from my trip to Lexington, KY. I visited Keeneland Racecourse and was able to watch some of the morning workouts as well as eat in the Track kitchen. No grits for this New England gal!

I was able to take some photos from outside the gates of Calumet Farms. This is where Whirlaway, Hadagal and Coaltown to name a few came from. These horses all raced at gansett.

AND I went for a lovely tour of Three Chimneys Farm where I met Big Brown, Smarty Jones, Sky Mesa and Dynaformer (Barbaro's sire)

Feel free to browse through my photos
Keeneland, Calumet, Three Chimneys

I have already made plans and reservations for my trip to KY next summer and included in my week and a half stay will be MUCH researching about Gansett from the Keeneland library.

Stay tuned for updates on the way!

Lack of updates

2009-05-05T07:03:00.000-07:00

I apologise for the lack of updates to the website. Between working more hours at my jobs as well as planning my trip to Kentucky again this year, I've not had time to work on the website. I have a large folder on my computer full of new things to add. Once things have slowed down, I should have more time to add what others have sent me and what I have collected.

Corrie~

Updates to arrive soon..

2009-03-09T06:38:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to those who have been so kind to e-mail me about the passing of my horse Tempa.

Here are two videos from my website of me and my horse if anyone is interested. They are large files and do take a whle to load.
http://www.intothesunstudio.com/todaywasyourlastday.wmv
http://www.intothesunstudio.com/slippedawaytempa.wmv

I've gotten a hold of some new things from ebay, which I will be updating the site with soon. Also many kind individuals have continued to e-mail me pictures and information.

Check back soon for updates!

The writing of the book is currently slow going, but is moving forward.
Corrie~

Slow on updates for a while...

2009-02-16T10:37:00.000-08:00

I know many of you have been sending in some wonderful photos and information for the website. Please keep them coming. I apologize for not having any new updates in a while. I just had to have my 42 year old horse put down and I have not been in the right state of mind since his passing. Given some time I will be back working on the site soon. Thanks for your understanding.

Another successful trip...

2009-02-04T18:11:00.000-08:00

I took another trip with a friend to the Pawtucket Public Library today. Since I've already used the folders I started looking through all the old Pawtucket Times newspapers on the microfilm machine. I really have to thank the staff for putting up with me asking all sorts of techinical questions about the machine and scanner that made them get other lens and the manual! I made sure to thank them over and over again. These people are amazing. I only hope they realize how much their work helps people.

I found some fabulous information during the 5 hours I sat in that chair and stared at old newspapers. Yes you read that right. I sat there for FIVE hours. I made it through all the May, June, July and first two days of August of 1934 so far. I think the staff was getting a kick out of me sitting there for so long.

I will definitely be heading back again as well as to some libraries in Providence at the suggestion of some of the staff.

I just love how the pieces of the puzzle are coming all together.

I'm still receiving e-mails which is wonderful. Please keep them coming!

I have not received my copy of the Gansett DVD from Cox. I'm hoping they send it soon. I'm DYING to see that special.

Thanks for reading.

Corrie~

New photos added...

2009-01-19T16:27:00.001-08:00

More new photos have been added to the "Gansett after 1978' album. These were taken by me last Wednesday in the bitter cold. I discovered a few more things , which I photographed. I cannot wait for the weather to get warmer so that I can take photos and video at will without freezing! I will be adding photos from the Pawtucket History Research Center soon. Keep checking back!

The Puzzle takes shape...

2009-01-13T05:31:00.000-08:00

The pieces of the puzzle that is Narragansett Park are coming together rather nicely. Pieces that I thought were lost have been found and merged together and the picture forming is amazing.

My research is going very well. I have learned so much information in only the past week alone. Tomorrow I am returning to the Pawtucket Library for more research and I can hardly wait to discover more and continue to work on this giant puzzle.

The Pawtucket History Research Center has granted me permission to use some incredible images they have in their collection. Over the next week or so I will be adding them to the galleries. There are some amazing track photos, photos of the giant crowds that overflowed Gansett in the early days and photos of horses such as Whirlaway and Alsab. Many many thanks to Tim for taking the time to scan these photos for me. You will note the PHRC seal on these photos. I ask if you want to use them for a project that you please contact the PHRC for permission. Their link is on my links page.

The book has been started, though there is a very long way to go before its ready for publication. I'm thinking that I'd very much like to find a local publisher to work with so that I can keep this project in the Providence area.

If you are interested in a copy of the Narragansett Park special that ran on Cox Sports in November, please e-mail me. I have the address of where you can send a check for a copy to be mailed to you by Cox Communications.

Thanks to everyone who has continued to e-mail me. I've been getting several e-mails daily and I have very much enjoyed reading them. I have started working on the "People" page so if you have a loved one who worked at the track and you would like to honor them by writing up something about them and including some photos I will be happy to add them to the website.

Thanks for reading,

Corrie~

New photos!

2009-01-08T09:19:00.000-08:00

Many new photos from articles added to the galleries. Grandstand photos, horse win photos, and also barn and clubhouse fire photos.

More to come!

Corrie~

Library visit a success!

2009-01-07T18:07:00.001-08:00

In the pouring rain a friend from Pawtucket brought me to the Pawtucket Public Library today so that I could use their facilities to begin researching for my book. Not only was the library impressive (we have a small one since I live in a small town!) but the staff was equally impressive. Any time I had a question, the staff answered it and several staff members showed interest in my project. They are a wonderful asset to the people of Pawtucket and beyond.

A very big thanks goes to Tim from the Pawtucket History Research Center. Between him and the Public Library they had several large folders brimming with photos and information for me to use. I spent about 3.5 hours at the library, scribbling away furiously in my notebook and devouring article after article of information and I already cannot wait to go back.

The generousity of people amazes me and I once again thank everyone who has helped contribute to the Narragansett Park site and my research over the last two years.

I ended my trip today with a visit to Building 19 (what is left of the grandstand) I remember my first visit there when I realized what the building had once been. The excitement and my need to photograph and video it all. My last two visits have brought upon feelings of sadness. I spend so much time seeing 'Gansett whole because of my research, that I forget what it actually looks like today. I spent a good hour discovering a few new things, such as original paint creeping through in places and seeing favorite things from previous visits such as the stairs on the ceiling that lead to nowhere (racehorse heaven maybe) and the escalators that lead to a mysterious second floor.

It is sometimes hard to deal with the fate of somethings, but I still left feeling that I am doing something right in striving to protect and share history.

Corrie McDermott~

New images, website turns 2 and more!

2008-12-31T17:34:00.001-08:00

I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season. Happy New Year!

With the new year approaching tomorrow, it also marks TWO years that the Gansett website has been online. It is my hope in the future to raise some money to move the site to it's own server with a .com domain. The website has come a long way since it began in 2007. Many thanks to everyone who has contributed in some way or another.

I've added many new images. Many are new photos just added to my own collection. Some are courtesy of wonderful individuals who have taken the time to scan them in and e-mail me.

In other news, my trip to the Pawtucket Library was cancelled today due to a snowstorm. I hope to travel there next week to continue my research on Gansett. I very much hope to be able to write and publish a book about the racetrack and would like to include a special chapter dedicated to other racetracks that are no longer with us.

Have a safe New Year.

Corrie~

Narragansett Special on local Cox Sports, other updates

2008-12-14T13:35:00.000-08:00

I unfortunately live in MA so I am not able to get Cox Cable in my area. A 1 hr special on Narragansett Park aired several times. I am looking for a copy and would greatly appreciate anyone who is able to help me acquire one.

I continue to purchase items from ebay and have acquired several more race win photos, buttons, a vintage 1970s T-shirt and several other pieces of history. I hope to add these to the galleries soon. Keep checking for more to be added to the gallery.

As always if you have Gansett Memorbilia that you are able to scan or take photos of I would love to add them to the gallery. Full credit given.

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.

Narragansett Park on Channel 6 and new videos

2008-08-02T16:46:00.000-07:00

Although it came on a few weeks ago now, Channel ABC 6 out of Providence, RI ran a short special about Gansett as part of their "Things that just aren't there anymore" series.

I was invited to the studio for an interview. They did a great job. The link is available on the home page as well as on the video page.

Speaking of the video page I've posted links to Whirlaway being defeated by Alsab in a match race and Stagehand defeating Bull Lea. They are both links that open to the videos on other websites.

I've acquired more Gansett magazine ads and photos and will add them to the site as time allows.

Many more updates

2008-05-10T18:00:00.000-07:00

Many more updates done to the website this evening. Mainly new photos of horses and some new memorbilia.

I have much more to add, including getting the "People" page finished.

There is finally a links page, although I do need to finish linking it to all the Gansett pages. You can access it from a few, including the home page.

I'd like to thank those who have taken the time to contact me with scans of horses, of ads or memorbilia. Every little bit helps me to get closer to finishing this giant puzzle.

New documentary

2008-03-01T05:44:00.001-08:00

I've been hard at work; researching and then creating an updated documentary with more information about the track, the people who helped run it as well as some of the horses that raced there.

Please be sure to check out the new documentary on the Video Page.
http://www.intothesunstudio.com/narragansettpark/video.html

I've also been invited to visit the Pawtucket Public Library and barring any serious issues with my truck getting repaired this weekend, I will be going Wednesday to do research. Apparently they have a good amount of references available which I plan to use.

That's the news for now. Thanks for reading.

Corrie~

Many new updates

2008-02-23T14:57:00.001-08:00

As you can see by looking at the front page of the website, a few things have changed including a new "Gansett" banner as well as a few new pictures. I like to shake things up a bit every so often.

Also I've added TONS of new photos. Many were from new magazines I picked up, many were from the new 2008 Narragansett Calender (was available at Howell Smith Drug Store in Pawtucket) as well as some fantastic win photos courtesy of Drew and his grandfather Richard.

I also made some minor changes to the "About" page.

I still have many updates to do, including a page where you will be able to look up a name of a horse, jockey or place on the website and you will be able to click on the links below to take you directly to their pictures. I thought this might help for those looking for specific information.

I will also be working on another documentary to "upgrade" the one I did last year. I have so many new pictures and more information that it's time to make a new one.

I also will be working on the "People" page as I have acquired some photos of some of the original people involved with the park as well as announcers etc.

I will be working on typing up some articles about the track and adding them to the site in PDF format.

And when spring arrives and it warms up a bit, I will be taking more images of the grandstand and the land around it.

I have a newspaper article about a horse named Charlie that was buried in the infield in 1968 as well as another horse that was buried there in the late 30s or early 40s. I'm curious as to if they are still there! There is actually a good amount of land that is not developed and was part of the infield as well as where the barns once stood.

Enjoy the updates with more to come as time allows.

Corrie~

Gansett Goodies are here!

2007-12-19T12:11:00.000-08:00

The Gansett Goodies from ebay have arrived! And they are all so wonderful! I love piecing together the history of the park and the different views of it. I only wish I would have been alive to see it in it's glory.

I have four new programs from the 60s, a RI brochure from 1941 that has two lovely pictures of Gansett in it. A season pass for 1976, a win photo of Banditos Reward, a photo of Judge Dooley and Walter O'Hara at the Gansett construction site in 1934 and a HOLIDAY magazine which has a picture of Gansett in it from 1941.

Here are more pictures.

More 'Gansett goodies from ebay!

2007-12-07T19:29:00.000-08:00

There have been many wonderful 'Gansett items on ebay lately and I have managed to snatch a few more to add to my growing collection.

I won another racing photo. This time in color and from 1976. I also won some old ticket stubs from the 70s, 4 racing programs from the 60s, a photo of Judge Dooley and Mr. O'Hara at the track construction site in 1934, a 1941 RI state Brochure with pictures of 'Gansett in it, a 1949 HOLIDAY magazine with a picture of 'Gansett in it. I've done fairly well!

There were many other items that I would have LOVED to have owned, but I was sadly outbid on alot of them. I can't be greedy and buy everything. ;)

I will be sure to upload pictures of my newest addition of Narragansett Park racing history when they are all here.

Thanks for reading.

Welcome!

2007-11-21T13:18:00.000-08:00

I decided to create a blog for my Narragansett Park site to keep visitors updated on new Narragansett Park item findings and updates to the website.

I have received some fabulous guestbook entries and e-mails over the last several months and I want to thank everyone who has contacted me.

I also want to thank those who have allowed me to use photos of their various Narragansett Park memorbilia.

I just received two original race photos I won on ebay of horses owned by Ber-Mer Farm.

One of the horses is "Noodles" and the other I am trying to read the ink on the mat. It's a bit faded from being so old. The photos are from 1942 and 1943 and I am SO happy to add them to my growing collection of Narragansett Park memorbilia.
Photographs are my favorite memorbilia to collect. As they say, 'A photograph says a thousand words" and it is so true!

As always, I am looking for more Narragansett memorbilia to buy or photographs to add to the gallery. Information is of course always graciously accepted. The park closed the year before I was born so I am relying on magazine and newspaper articles as well as stories from those who worked or visited the park.

Thanks for reading.

Corrie~