Dear Members and Friends of the Museum,
This past year was a remarkable one for the Museum of Hounds and Hunting North America. We proudly celebrated the 40th anniversary of opening our galleries at the historic Morven Park Mansion in Leesburg, and the second anniversary of our Middleburg location at 11 West Washington Street —milestones that reflect our growing presence and our deepening mission to preserve and share the rich traditions of foxhunting.
We presented curated exhibitions featuring renowned American Academy of Equine Art artists, including Sandra Forbush, Sam Robinson, Dana Lee Thomspon, and Linda Volrath, attracting fine art collectors from near and far. On view from the museum’s collection was also an exhibition of American and British sporting prints portraying hunt scenes of bygone days.
More than 1,900 visitors visited our Middleburg and Leesburg galleries. Many discovered foxhunting for the first time through our memorabilia, artwork, and bronzes donated by our patrons. We remain the sole museum in North America dedicated to telling the stories of foxhunting, educating and delighting visitors through tailor-made guided tours.
We opened 2026 with a spectacular art exhibition and sale by Anita Baarns on view through June 28 at the Middleburg Galleries. It is Anita’s final public exhibition so we hope you will see it in person! Our website, mhhna.org, showcases part of her collection.
Our upcoming signature Spring Event at Leesburg’s Morven Park will celebrate the 250th Anniversary of Independence. Members and friends of the Museum are invited to attend a ceremony honoring George Washington and William “Billy” Lee who was Washington’s huntsman for 20 years and a valet and secretary for much longer, including during the American Revolutionary War. This ceremony, a highlight of the Memorial Day Weekend, will take place on Saturday, May 23 at 4:00 pm in the Ballroom at Morven Park’s Davis Mansion. It will coincide with the opening of an Art Exhibition and Sale featuring renowned sporting artist Susan Kelleher. A selection of sporting bronze sculptures will be featured.
Exciting exhibitions throughout the remainder of the year at the Middleburg Gallery will showcase an exhibition by fine sporting artist Nancy Milburn Kleck.
We look forward to seeing you at Morven Park. For tickets to the reception, membership, and donations, please visit mhhna.org/events.
We also invite you to visit the museum in Middleburg at 11 West Washington on Saturday, May 23 from 12:00 to 4:00 PM and Sunday, May 24 from 12 Noon to 4:00 PM.
We appreciate your continued support to help sustain our mission. With your help, we will continue to educate, inspire, and celebrate the storied tradition of mounted hunting with hounds. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, your donation is tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Contributions may be made online at mhhna.org/donate or by check and mailed to: MHHNA, P.O. Box 1122, Middleburg, VA 20118.
With sincere appreciation,
Nancy G. Bedford, Chairman
Museum of Hounds and Hunting North America
