SC Rewind: The Story Of Miniature Silks

For this week's edition of Rewind Robert Smith has chosen somewhat of a novelty theme as he recalls a person who pursued a rather unusual hobby for many years related to harness racing.  The late Jean Ferland of North Berwick,  Maine fashioned hundreds of beautifully styled miniature replicas of driver's silks.   Read on to learn what inspired her (with the very dedicated assistance of her husband) and also how she shared her needle work with many people over the years. 

Jeanne Ferland displays one of the 500 sets of handcrafted miniature replica racing silks that made up her unique collection.  She along with her husband displayed their work at many tracks and other venues over the years.  (Hoof Beats photo)

Back in the 1970's Bob and Jeanne Ferland, a husband and wife team from North Berwick, Maine, devised a rather unique way to become part of the harness racing scene,  a sport that both had loved since their growing up years. For both of them their attraction to the sport developed from their proximity to their local fairgrounds,  Cold Spring Park in Rochester, New Hampshire.  As a youngster Bob in particular spent many happy hours watching and helping the fairgrounds regulars. Jean grew to love the Standardbreds and those who worked with them  in much the same manner.  

Jeanne and Bob Ferland display a few sets of their handcrafted miniature silks. This photo was taken very early in their careers.   (Hoof Beats Photo) 

After several years of limiting their harness racing activities to "fence-leaning" as they called it, watching as friends prepped for local competition at New England's then many tracks, they came up with an idea.  By then they had a successful business (with no connection to racing) as they were proprietors of a successful hair styling salon.  Back then it might have even been known as a "beauty parlor".  They decided to venture into the sport that had captured the heart of each as a youngster. 

First they started by assembling a collection of harness racing memorabilia.  Not too much later they progressed into horse ownership which included feeding and care-taking chores of their own charges.   This was accomplished by arriving early in the morning and returning again much later in the day.  These were about the only times they could spare from their flourishing business.  

One evening while the races were on at their home track, Bob who had a pretty keen eye for colour and design, decided to make a sketch of one of the colourful driving jackets being worn by one of the drivers who was warming up a horse out on the track.  Later Bob shared his creation with Jeanne and she was immediately determined to duplicate what he had started with her skills using needle, thread and cloth.  Within a fairly short time she had  created a driving jacket in miniature.  It was the start of an unusual harness racing hobby. 

Within three years their collection went from that original single creation to 250 "minis".  They quite naturally started with the colours of their fellow New Englanders but eventually began to add the jackets of many nationally known drivers.  While their size may have been deceiving in equating how much time it would take to make one, it was in fact no simple task.  

A small portion of the Ferland collection of miniature silks.  Photo courtesy of Hoof Beats 

Each jacket in their collection represented many hours of work.  They all started out the same;  first came Bob's sketch, perfect in every detail including piping and initials if any were involved. Then came Jeanne's task which included an hour or more of cutting and sewing always dependent on the complexity of the design.  It was not unusual for her to spend an entire evening on the more complex projects. 

The finished jacket became a five-inch miniature mirror image of the driver's colours.  The talented seamstress said that the most difficult and time-consuming part of the task was the application of piping.  Each strip had to be stitched with appropriately coloured thread.  While their hobby was first intended to be for their own enjoyment they soon found that it had a much broader appeal. 

Their hobby first went on display in 1974 at the Rochester, N.H. Fair.  Their collection was very small and featured local drivers past and present but it became an instant attraction.  Since the Rochester Fair was about to observe its 100th anniversary in 1975, the talented couple started on a special anniversary exhibit for the following year.  To top off their efforts a friend and neighbour, Clarke Steeves, helped them make a miniature winner's circle.  Authentic in every detail,  it required more than 300 hours to design and build. 

First started in 1974 the couple worked diligently until it was completed in 1989.  By then over 500 miniature jackets were in the display.  While its permanent home was at the Rochester fairgrounds it travelled to many locations including Scarborough Downs, Rockingham Park and numerous other New England tracks.  Their first big thrill came when they were invited to participate in the Grand Circuit activities connected with the Adios stake at the Meadows. In the years that followed it was displayed at numerous major raceways in the United States and was the only exhibit of its kind in the world.    It is difficult to estimate just how many people enjoyed the creations of the Ferlands. 

Down through the years the Ferlands hosted a number of driving championship events at various tracks in the New England area.  Above they are shown as they present a trophy to winning driver Wm. "Magic Man" O'Donnell in 1983 (Photo courtesy of North East Harness News archives) 

Jeanne Ferland passed away in December of 2017 at the age of 83.  In addition to her very unusual hobby she continued to operate the family-owned hair salon for an amazing 49 years. The Ferlands' contribution to the "colour" of harness racing was unique and interesting to say the least.  I wonder if this carefully crafted collection of miniature silks is still in existence. 

Quote For The Week: "A good photograph is knowing where to stand."  Ansel Adams 

Who Is It? 

Who is the man in the driver's seat? For a little help I left that great handwriting on from the original photo.  Let us know who you think it is.  

Who Else Is It? 

Jean Ferland is pictured above during the 1995 North American Driving Championship held at Bangor Raceway.  This is an easy one but who is she chatting with? (Photo courtesy of North East Harness News archives)

Whose Silks Are These? 

Since this week's subject was all about silks, here is a trivia question that should fit in rather nicely.  Pictured above is a set of silks once worn by a famous horseman.  The question has two parts.  Who wore these silks and what inspired the chosen colour combination?