As notable dignitaries, art lovers and philanthropists gathered recently to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Smithsonian's Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, some of the event organizers and guests made a side trip to the National Sporting Library and Museum in Middleburg.

Arranged by Ann Nitze, a Sackler Gala sponsor, the visit included tours of current exhibitions and highlights from the rare book collection followed by luncheon in the Founders' Room with NSLM board members Mimi Abel Smith, Guy O. Dove and Jacqueline Ohrstrom.

Visitors included members of the Sackler Gala International Committee: Mrs. Roderick Gow (London), who with her husband was a co-chair of that committee; Baroness Allard (London); and TSH Prince and Princess Johannes von Auersperg (London and Austria). The Sackler Gala Committee was represented by James Armstrong and Larry Connelly (Texas); and Grace Bender (Washington, D.C.). Oriental manuscripts expert Nabil Saidi (London) and historian Travis Barton Kranz (California), a Foxcroft alum, also joined the group on Thursday, November 29th.

The visit included tours of current exhibitions and highlights from the rare book collection followed by luncheon in the Founders' Room with NSLM board members Mimi Abel Smith, Guy O. Dove and Jacqueline Ohrstrom.

Among the many enthusiastic conversations was the discovery that April Gow's husband is the great grandson of Lord Mottistone (General Jack Seely) who wrote My Horse Warrior, the 1934 book that is the basis for the play and film "War Horse." The book was illustrated by his friend Sir Alfred Munnings and contains a moving inscription about Munnings' drawings by Seely. Two Munnings paintings are a prominent part of the NSLM art collection.

The Sackler has two important exhibitions of interest to horse enthusiasts: Nomads and Networks: The Ancient Art and Culture of Kazakhstan and Roads of Arabia: Archaeology and History of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The National Sporting Library and Museum was pleased to personally congratulate the Smithsonian's Arthur M. Sackler Gallery on their 25th anniversary.