National Sporting Library & Museum
DATE: 01/29/2026
Contact Julie Banner
Phone 540-687-6542 ext. 25
Email JBanner@NationalSporting.org
Web NationalSporting.org
Mail P.O. Box 1335 Middleburg, VA 20118
The National Sporting Library & Museum Presents an Evening with Author Eliza McGraw
Exploring Astride: Horses, Women, and a Partnership That Shaped America
Middleburg, VA — The National Sporting Library & Museum (NSLM) invites the public to an engaging evening reception, author discussion, and book signing with Eliza McGraw, former NSLM John H. Daniels Fellow and author of Astride: Horses, Women, and a Partnership That Shaped America, on Thursday, March 5, 2026. The evening will begin with a reception from 5 to 5:45 pm, followed by a discussion and Q&A from 5:45 to 7 pm. A book signing will conclude the event, and copies of Astride will be available for purchase on-site.
In Astride, McGraw illuminates a transformative moment in American history when the bond between women and horses redefined cultural expectations of gender, athleticism, and independence. Opening with the iconic image of suffragist Inez Milholland leading the 1913 Women’s March on Washington on horseback, Astride explores how women across diverse backgrounds—socialites, trainers, breeders, and performers—reshaped the public perception of women’s capabilities through their equestrian pursuits.
Through archival images, vivid storytelling, and fresh historical insight, McGraw reveals how riding astride became both a literal and symbolic act of empowerment. As Laurie Prinz, content director at Equine Network, notes, “Eliza McGraw explores a little-known chapter of American history that has great resonance today… This book is a must-read for anyone interested in history, horses, and American heroes.”
Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026
Time: 5–7 pm (Reception 5–5:45 pm; Program and Q&A 5:45–7 pm)
Location: National Sporting Library & Museum, 102 The Plains Road, Middleburg, VA
Admission: $20 for NSLM Members, $30 Non-Members
Registration: https://www.nationalsporting.org/index.php/nslm/event_details/1554/
About the Author: Eliza McGraw is a writer and historian whose work explores the intersections of American culture, gender, and sport. A former NSLM John H. Daniels Fellow, she has published widely in literary and historical journals and is the author of several works delving into American traditions and identity.
The National Sporting Library & Museum (NSLM) is located in Middleburg, VA, the heart of beautiful horse country. Founded in 1954, the renowned research Library and fine art Museum highlight the rich heritage and tradition of country pursuits. Angling, horsemanship, shooting, steeplechasing, foxhunting, flat racing, polo, coaching, and wildlife are among the subjects one can explore in the organization’s general stacks, rare book holdings, archives, and art collection. A non-profit organization, 501(c)(3), the NSLM offers a wide variety of educational programs, exhibitions, and family activities throughout the year, and is open to researchers and the public. There is no admission fee to the Library. The Museum charges $10 for adults, $8 for youths (age 13–18), and $8 for seniors. NSLM members and children age 12 and under are admitted free of charge. Library & Museum hours are Thursday–Sunday 10 am to 5 pm.
