Wedding anniversary surprise at the NSLM

By Susan Brewster | Photos courtesy of the NSLM

Marlou Gregory had no idea of the surprise that awaited her on her tour of the Chronicle of the Horse in Art exhibition at the National Sporting Library & Museum (NSLM) last month. She had visited the museum several times before, but on this day she was lured there by her husband, John, and her friend Jacqueline Ohrstrom for a wedding anniversary surprise.

When the Gregorys arrived at the museum, Claudia Pfeiffer, the George L. Ohrstrom Jr. curator of art, who was in on the secret, explained, “Mrs. Ohrstrom requested that I give you a special tour today.” And without a second thought, they began the tour.

After viewing several paintings by sporting artists such as George Stubbs, Edward Troye and Jean Eleanor Bowman, John Gregory turned to his wife and said, “Marlou, I’d like you to see this painting over here. This one is very special … because it is for you.”

Under wrapping paper and ribbon was a painting by area artist Anita Baarns’ titled “Going to Post at Great Meadow.” The artist herself came out from her hiding place around the corner, and Marlou Gregory was overwhelmed with emotion … hugs ensued.

“I chose to give Marlou this particular painting because it has deep personal meaning to her,” said John Gregory.

He explained that Marlou’s late husband, Chuck Church, was the president of the Virginia Gold Cup Association until he died in 2001. Church had asked Anita Baarns to create a painting for the Gold Cup. Several years later, the artist decided to paint the work from a photo she had taken but changed the silks to some of Church’s best friends as he had requested.

Baarns included Marlou Gregory’s racing colors and turned to the Gregorys for suggestions regarding the remaining jockeys’ colors. “Marlou suggested the colors of Emily Hutchinson, Zohar Ben-Dov, Randy Rouse and the Sterns. Anita loved the idea and if you look carefully at the painting, those colors are on the other jockeys,” said Gregory.

Anita Baarns wanted the Gregorys to purchase the painting several years ago and has been keeping them abreast of its travels. John Gregory recalls phone calls from Baarns in which she said, “It won an award in Lexington” or, “It’s going to a gallery in Charleston.” Recently, Baarns called Gregory to tell him she was lending the painting to an exhibition at the National Sporting Library & Museum.

“This time, I said yes,” explained Gregory. “It was the right time to buy the painting from Anita. I wanted to surprise Marlou for our anniversary.”

While the Gregorys currently live near Valley Forge in Chester County, Pennsylvania, they owned a farm in Warrenton, Virginia, for several years. “Marlou loved Virginia and she loved all her Virginia friends,” said Gregory. “I am sure it was difficult for her to leave.”

Gregory said that he also enjoys Virginia, particularly the Middleburg, The Plains and Warrenton areas. “To me, having this painting in the exhibition at the National Sporting Library & Museum is a way for me to give something back to Virginia; to acknowledge the wonderful influence it has had on my life.”

The Gregorys celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary in 2016 and John Gregory said that there was nothing special about this anniversary to warrant a gift of such magnitude. He admits to being a hopeless romantic, however, and that his recent gesture was quite fitting.

“I asked Marlou to marry me on top of a 10,000-foot mountain after a long trail ride. Now the painting surprise in the museum … I’m not sure how I can top this one.” ML

The Chronicle of the Horse in Art exhibition is on view at the National Sporting Library & Museum through March 19.

National Sporting Library & Museum: Open Wednesday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; 102 The Plains Rd., Middleburg, VA 20117; 540-687-6542; nationalsporting.org.