The Museum of Hounds & Hunting opened on May 24, 1985 in the north wing of the stately Mansion at Morven Park thanks to a small group of sporting enthusiasts. They conceived the idea of the Museum in order to preserve the art, artifacts and memorabilia of a centuries-old sporting tradition. Seeking to acquire important and valuable artifacts before they are lost, the Museum provides a special place for the preservation and display of the sport’s rich history and by developing educational exhibits, promotes public understanding of hunting with hounds.
	Originally, the Museum of Hounds & Hunting’s Mission was simple:       The purpose of the Museum of Hounds & Hunting is to preserve and enhance the rich heritage of foxhunting in America. More recently, the purpose of the Museum has been expanded to reflect the current course of the Museum, a course more in keeping with the needs of a Museum celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2005.       The purpose of the Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America is to preserve the rich North American heritage of hunting with hounds, for today and for the future; acquire important artifacts before they are lost; provide a repository for precious objects; and, by developing educational exhibits through research projects, promote understanding of hunting with hounds through the sport’s historical, sociological and cultural heritage.

		MHHNA Advisory Committee 2008   Ms. Marion Maggiolo, Co-Chairman   Ms. Martha Ellis Kelley, Treasurer Mrs. Christopher (Mary) Reed, Secretary   Mrs. Nancy Bedford Dr. Rita Mae Brown, MFH Mr. John J. Carle, II, ex-MFH Mr. Peyton S. Cochran, ex-MFH Mrs. William G. (Joyce) Fendley, MFH Mr. Robert N. Ferrer, Jr., MFH Mr. Sherman P. Haight, Jr., ex-MFH* Mrs. Sherman P. Haight, Jr. Dr. Joseph M. Rogers, MFH* Mrs. Joseph M. (Donna) Rogers, MFH Mrs. Donald (Margaret) Van Schaack Mr. Peter Winants Mr. James L. Young, MFH*   Mr. Will O'Keefe, Executive Director, Morven Park
		Previous Members of the Advisory Committee: Mr. Alexander Mackay-Smith* † Mr. Thomas L. Ashbridge    Ms. Pamela Ohrstrom †   Mr. Rob Banner Mrs. Kathleen Beer  † Mr. Ernest Byfield  † Mrs. Jean Bowman † Ms. Mary Phillips Coker Mr. Norman Fine Mrs. Samuel K. Frazier † Mr. Oliver Goldsmith † Ms. Mary South Hutchison Mrs. Arthur McCashin † Mrs. James L. (Sally) Young   *  Denotes Original Comm. Member, † Deceased

	The Museum’s membership represents a group that is both diverse and united. The diversity is reflected in the range of reasons that bring people to the Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America. The unity is found in the single-minded purpose to preserve and promote the art and artifacts of hunting with hounds in North America. The membership is, of course, well represented by those from the foxhunting community; active participants who ride to hounds, former hunters who still follow and support the sport, and non-hunting friends who appreciate and value this way of life. Also under the hunting banner are those who subscribe to beagle packs, members of hunts whose hounds pursue coyote rather than foxes, and foot followers who hunt behind bassets and other harehound packs. Demonstrating the crossover support among horse enthusiasts, many members come from other disciplines—such as eventing, polo, dressage, endurance—but recognize the need to maintain a cohesive voice for the cultural and historical aspects of all horse sports. Civil War re-enactors, from both cavalry and infantry units, also understand the importance of the Museum’s mission. Those who study and enjoy sporting art and literature find their membership worthwhile and of great importance. Together, the membership represents a colorful group of like-minded individuals, with many interests and from different backgrounds, who come together for a unified purpose. We are enormously grateful for the encouragement this community has shown since the Museum’s founding in 1985. We look forward to continuing the relationship with old friends and to meet new ones as more people see the value of membership in this organization.

Crossing the Potomac at White's Ferry

The Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America owes an enormous debt of gratitude to the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation. As a parent nurtures a child, so has the Foundation supported, encouraged, and inspired the work of the Museum. Indeed, the Museum’s very existence was the brainchild of notable Foundation Board members and the Board’s continuing generosity has enabled this institution to grow and mature since its creation in 1985.

Mr. Sherman P. Haight, Jr., ex-MFH, first broached the idea of a museum dedicated to maintaining North America’s heritage of hunting with hounds in the early 1980s. He organized a feasibility group made up of fellow hunt masters to study the concept. Dr. Joseph M. Rogers, MFH and member of the Board of the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation, suggested Morven Park for the new museum’s home. Fellow Foundation Board members Erskine Bedford and Arthur McCashin joined with Dr. Rogers and together they turned the concept into a reality: The Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America was born.

Like any hound pup or fox kit, continued support was needed to bring the new Museum into its own. The Foundation has provided a wing of the Morven Park Mansion to house the Museum’s growing collection and liberal use of the Foundation’s staff. Without this generosity, there would be no Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America and everyone associated with this institution is indebted to each member of the Foundation Board. Most particularly, we want to thank those who first conceived and then birthed the idea— Four Men & A Museum, if you will—Messrs. Haight, Bedford, and McCashin and, most especially, Dr. Joe Rogers.

The Advisory Committee of the
Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America

MHHNA, The Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation, Inc., Morven Park, PO Box 6228, Leesburg, VA  20178.
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