the run for the roses: a multi-dimensional approach
Oldham County, located just outside of Louisville, is an area of Kentucky known for rolling hills, scenic views of the Ohio river, and endless acres of prime Thoroughbred farming. As a resident of Oldham County, I've always been surrounded by these beautiful horses, but I've never really had the opportunity to learn too much about them or the renowned race that takes place each year on the first Saturday in May, the Kentucky Derby. While I was completing my first co-op at an architecture and engineering firm in Louisville, I took the opportunity to dive into the Kentucky Derby head first to examine some of the social, economic, and political influences on the history and culture of this monumental race.
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As a start to my experiential research project, I completed an examination of some of the best literary resources on the topic and selected the three that I felt would provide me with a thorough background of the history of the Derby and some of the events that have shaped the extravagant and exorbitant event. I settled on three books: The Kentucky Derby by James C. Nicholson, Churchill Downs: America's Most Historic Racetrack by Kimberly Gatto, and Churchill Downs: A Documentary History of America's Most Legendary Racetrack by Samuel W. Thomas. These resources, paired with various online sources, allowed me to gain a strong background of the Kentucky Derby and helped set the tone for the second part of my experiential project: active learning experiences.
To broaden my understanding of the Kentucky Derby and take the project a step further than literary resources, I organized three active experiences. The first of these experiences was a visit to a nearby Thoroughbred farm, Hermitage Farm, known for selling the most expensive yearling at $13.1 million. Touring this farm gave me insight into all of the thought and planning that goes into breeding and raising young race horses.
I was able to complete my second active experience, looking at the original drawings for Chuchill Downs, thanks to my co-op employer, Luckett & Farley, whose predecessor, D.X. Murphy & Bro, designed the original structure back in 1895. I contacted the CEO and arranged a time where I could sit down with the original blueprints to observe some of the design aspects and drawing methods from the late 19th century. I was amazed that not only had the drawings been created completely by hand, but that most of the diagrams and details lacked dimension lines. I noticed that the design of the time was much more ornamental than that of today with many floral decorations, inset panels, repetitive geometric patterns, and galvanized iron enhancements. Compared with the highly computerized construction document process, I was extremely impressed with the precision and detail put into these drawings by 19th century drafters.
To go along with my observation of the original drawings for Churchill Downs, and as a way to tie in some of the technical skills I've gained through my major, I created a 3D model of the iconic Twin Spires that sit atop Churchill Downs using a computer modeling program called Google SketchUp. Modeling these structures helped me gain an intimate understanding of some of the design choices that the original architect made when creating the spires. I then took some of the original aspects from the Twin Spires and created my own design of the towers to see what things I would have done differently had I designed them.
To broaden my understanding of the Kentucky Derby and take the project a step further than literary resources, I organized three active experiences. The first of these experiences was a visit to a nearby Thoroughbred farm, Hermitage Farm, known for selling the most expensive yearling at $13.1 million. Touring this farm gave me insight into all of the thought and planning that goes into breeding and raising young race horses.
I was able to complete my second active experience, looking at the original drawings for Chuchill Downs, thanks to my co-op employer, Luckett & Farley, whose predecessor, D.X. Murphy & Bro, designed the original structure back in 1895. I contacted the CEO and arranged a time where I could sit down with the original blueprints to observe some of the design aspects and drawing methods from the late 19th century. I was amazed that not only had the drawings been created completely by hand, but that most of the diagrams and details lacked dimension lines. I noticed that the design of the time was much more ornamental than that of today with many floral decorations, inset panels, repetitive geometric patterns, and galvanized iron enhancements. Compared with the highly computerized construction document process, I was extremely impressed with the precision and detail put into these drawings by 19th century drafters.
To go along with my observation of the original drawings for Churchill Downs, and as a way to tie in some of the technical skills I've gained through my major, I created a 3D model of the iconic Twin Spires that sit atop Churchill Downs using a computer modeling program called Google SketchUp. Modeling these structures helped me gain an intimate understanding of some of the design choices that the original architect made when creating the spires. I then took some of the original aspects from the Twin Spires and created my own design of the towers to see what things I would have done differently had I designed them.
The final piece of this research project was my attendance at the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2013. I, alone with a group of friends, fought through the massive crowds, chilly temperatures, and sleeting rain that day to watch the twenty contending Thoroughbreds thunder around the track in hopes of winning the prestigious race. It was exhilarating to be at the racetrack during the race and to experience the crowd's excitement as the horses neared the final post. I found my trip to the Derby an eye-opening experience as I saw first hand the vast differences that exist on Derby day between the wealthy elite and the lower classes. It was an awesome way to wrap up my research project and see firsthand the event that I had researched for so many weeks.
To download a PDF version of my reflective essay, click here:
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