John Morrissey Trifecta Tour scheduled for May 23
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is partnering with the Adelphi Hotel and the Saratoga Springs History Museum to present the John Morrissey Trifecta Tour on Thursday, May 23. Focusing on Morrissey’s connections to three iconic Saratoga Springs institutions, the tour will celebrate the remarkable legacy of the fierce individual who established organized thoroughbred racing in the village during the summer of 1863.
The tour includes transportation by trolleys and will depart from the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame at 6:15 p.m. and head to the Adelphi Hotel, where Morrissey died on May 1, 1878. At the hotel, historian Charles Kuenzel will detail Morrissey’s political legacy, impact on Saratoga Springs, and his final days. Guests will be treated to hors d’oeuvres and a specialty cocktail at the hotel before advancing to the Saratoga Springs History Museum at the Canfield Casino.
At the Casino in Congress Park, which Morrissey opened in 1870 as the Club House, visitors will learn about the great impresario establishing the venue as arguably the premier gambling destination in America. James Parillo, the Saratoga Springs History Museum’s director, will lead the presentation and light fare and beverages will be available.
The final stop on the tour will be the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, where Morrissey was inducted as a Pillar of the Turf in 2018. A brief video about Morrissey’s life will be followed by a talk about Morrissey’s reign as the bare-knuckle boxing champion of America and how he launched organized thoroughbred racing in Saratoga Springs during the Civil War. Brien Bouyea, the Museum’s Hall of Fame and Communications Director, will lead the program in the Hall of Fame. Kuenzel, Parrillo, and Bouyea will all then be available for any questions about Morrissey and there will be light fare and drink options before the tour ends.
Ticket options:
Museum Member: $85 — includes the tour experience for Members of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and/or the Saratoga Springs History Museum
General Ticket: $100 — includes the tour experience
Bookmaker Ticket: $125 — includes the tour experience and a copy of the book :Bare Knuckles and Saratoga Racing: The Remarkable Life of John Morrissey,” by author Brien Bouyea
Clubhouse Ticket: $175 — includes the tour experience, a copy of “Bare Knuckles and Saratoga Racing: The Remarkable Life of John Morrissey,” by author Brien Bouyea and Individual Memberships to both the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and the Saratoga Springs History Museum
Event Schedule:
6:15 p.m. — The first trolley will leave the National Museum of Racing
(191 Union Avenue) to head to the Adelphi Hotel
6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. — Tour at the Adelphi Hotel
7:15 p.m. — Trolley to Canfield Casino
7:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. — Tour at the Canfield Casino
8:15 p.m. — Trolley to the National Museum of Racing
8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. — Tour and event conclusion at the National Museum of Racing
This event is likely to sell out and tickets must be purchases in advance. You may purchase your tickets here: John Morrissey Trifecta Tour tickets
The John Morrissey Trifecta Tour is sponsored by Adelphi Hospitality, Saratoga Spring Water, and Putnam Market.
For more information about the Museum, including special events and program offerings, please call (518) 584-0400 or visit our website at www.racingmuseum.org.
