The National Sporting Library is one of those Middleburg treasures hidden in plain sight. As it celebrates its 50th anniversary this month with a number of events, this local institution with an international reputation is sure to attract new fans.

The NSL houses a 13,000-volume collection that is a wonder to behold, not just for those of us with an unending curiosity about our favorite subject – horse and field sports – but for anyone who finds themselves in a state of appropriate awe when leafing through a rare book or artifact.

What began 50 years ago as the brainchild of George L. Ohrstrom Sr. and Alexander Mackay-Smith MFH, then editor of the Chronicle of the Horse, continues to deliver on its mission to preserve the culture of field sports under the apparently untiring guidance of present day chairman George L. Ohrstrom Jr.

In a show of gratitude towards Ohrstrom Jr., library members are holding their 50th anniversary events as a tribute to their leader of the past 49 years. Amongst the events scheduled are a coaching exhibit and procession, as well as a gala dinner.

Historic Coaching Event

The coaching event is being touted as the largest of its kind in history. Currently over 40 antique coaches and park drags are expected to gather in the area for the National Sporting Library Drive. On Saturday, October 23, from 10 to 11 am, there will be a procession of coaches open to the public at the Upperville Colt and Horse Show grounds.

Four-in-hand devotees from around the country will be joined by what are sure to be newly converted enthusiasts to view these extraordinary examples of antique coaches and park drags. While many of us may have viewed an antique coach sitting in a museum somewhere, seeing one driven by an appropriately attired whip (driver) skillfully handling four Andalusians, or Cleveland Bays or Arabians will certainly make for a memorable experience.

The gala dinner hosted by Library board members Jacqueline L. Ohrstrom and George A. Weymouth will take place that evening at Middleburg's Tacaro Farm. Both the Drive and the dinner will benefit the library, which operates as a privately funded nonprofit organization.

While the library is a private institution, it functions under a mandate of a public mission, namely " to serve as a dynamic cultural force in preserving field and turf sports, and the open-space culture vital to these pursuits, by fostering interest and stimulating research and learning in the sporting culture." The library is open to researchers and the interested public.

When asked who a typical user of the library is, both Acting Director Rebecca Tomlinson and Head Librarian Robert Weber suggest such a thing is hard to pin down. "Everything from high school students to PhD candidates," says Weber. Journalists, authors, documentary filmmakers, researchers of all levels have come to mine the wealth of the library since its inception.

Dream Come True

What can be found there is a dream come true for anyone with a professional interest or personal passion for all things field sports. Just think – a collection of horsemanship volumes that includes everything from a 1733 first folio edition of Francois Robichon de la Gueriniere's Ecole de Cavalerie to volumes by recent experts such as Sylvia Loch and Alois Podhajsky – and just about everything in between.

Along with the extensive horsemanship collection are shelves upon shelves of books on steeplechasing, horse racing, angling, foxhunting and falconry.

The library collections are housed in a spacious, open, airily lit 15,000-square-foot building with reading rooms, rare book archives and several rooms for displaying a rotating sporting art collection. Currently on display are artworks pertaining to coaching, including a collection of 19th century oils, models and Dresden porcelains.

The Founders Room is equipped with state of the art audio-visual equipment, and members of the library gather here to watch televised sporting events and hear lectures and presentations.

These monthly lectures are open the public and cover a range of topics pertaining to the library's oeuvre. Coming up within the next few weeks are a book signing featuring author Paul D. Cronin, who will read from his latest book, Riding and Schooling the Sport Horse, and an Evening with Arthur Hancock III. Library director Kenneth Tomlinson will interview Hancock, his long-time friend, legendary horseman and breeder of Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus.

Duplicate Book Sale

Also on the calendar for this month is the annual Duplicate Book Sale. Serious collectors and avid readers alike are likely to find something in the auction that peaks their interest, be it a rare book or a recent edition of a contemporary classic. Those bidding must be members of the library, but a glance across the list of books on sale may encourage potential buyers to become members.

This is the first year that the library will be accepting electronic bids. More information, including a detailed list of items with descriptions and information on condition, can be found on the library's website, www.nsl.org. Membership information can also be found there. The sale continues until November 5, 2004.