Coordinates: 33°32′52″N 81°43′22″W / 33.5479°N 81.7227°W The Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum was established in 1977 as a tribute to the famous flat racing and steeplechase Thoroughbred horses that trained in Aiken, South Carolina.
The museum was a project of the local Jaycees, aided by Thoroughbred horse racing expert Whitney Tower, horse racing editor for Sports Illustrated and Vice President of the National Racing Museum and Chair of its Hall of Fame.
The museum is located on the grounds of Hopelands Gardens, the former home of Charles Oliver Iselin and Hope Goddard Iselin that is now owned by the City of Aiken. The museum occupies the Iselins' former carriage house and stables. The Hall of Fame commemorates 40 Eclipse Award-winning horses that trained in Aiken; the museum also includes a variety of other exhibits.