The Woodbrook Hunt Club, cofounded in 1926 by Maj. J. H. Mathews and Thornwood Estate superintendent Thomas Bryan, is the oldest fox-hunting club west of the Mississippi. Horses have long played an important historical role on the prairies south of Tacoma. The Nisqually Indians were the first to ride horses on the Nisqually Prairie in the early 1800s, followed by the Hudson's Bay Company and horse-race activities in the 1840s. The establishment of Fort Lewis in 1917 has protected this unique prairie ecosystem, resulting in a longstanding partnership with the Woodbrook Hunt Club. Today the club continues its rich tradition on the last remaining three percent of native prairie in the Puget Sound Corridor. Title: Woodbrook Hunt Club subject of meeting Author: Dave Sclair Publisher: The Suburban Times Date: 5/21/09 The Woodbrook Hunt Club is the oldest fox hunting club west of the Mississippi River, according to author and horseback riding enthusiast Joy Keniston-Longrie. She gave the history of the club to about 50 members of the Lakewood Historical Society during a recent meeting at the Lakewood Library. The author explained that the club doesn't actually hunt foxes. Instead, a rider drags a fox - scented sack (or some other animal scent) across the ground. The hounds follow the scent thinking they are chasing an animal while the riders follow behind. Keniston-Longrie's new book, Woodbrook Hunt Club, is available from area book stores (Amazon.com link), at the Lakewood History Museum and other sites. The book not only covers the history of the club from its beginnings but goes all the way back to the introduction of horses to the area by natives. Packed with photos, the book shows the buildings where today's club started, the various names it used from the beginning and the community leaders who were principals in the club. Before the speaker got started, Becky Huber, president of the Lakewood Historical Society, told the crowd attending the meeting that as a result of recent fundraising activities the museum would remain open at its present site in the Lakewood Colonial Center. Title: Historical Role of Hunt Club Revealed Author: Staff Writer Publisher: Lakewood Historical Society Date: 5/19/09 New from Arcadia Publishing is Woodbrook Hunt Club, by local author and horseback riding enthusiast Joy Keniston-Longrie. With more than 200 black and white images from an extensive variety of sources, Woodbrook Hunt Club offers a fascinating look at the history of hunting and recreational riding on the southern prairies of Washington State. The Woodbrook Hunt Club, co-founded in 1926 by Maj. J. H. Mathews and Thornwood Estate superintendent Thomas Bryan, is the oldest fox-hunting club west of the Mississippi. Horses have long played an important historical role on the prairies south of Tacoma. The Nisqually Indians were the first to ride horses on the Nisqually Prairie in the early 1800s followed by the Hudson's Bay Company and horse-race activities in the 1840s. The establishment of Fort Lewis in 1917 has protected this unique prairie ecosystem, resulting in a longstanding partnership with the Woodbrook Hunt Club. Today the club continues its rich tradition on the last remaining three percent of native prairie in the Puget Sound Corridor. Joy Keniston - Longrie will present "History of the Woodbrook Hunt Club" for the Lakewood Historical Society on Tuesday, May 19 at 7 pm at the Lakewood Library, 6300 Wildaire Rd SW. A book signing will follow. The Public is welcome to attend the monthly meeting of the society and hear the lecture. Author Joy Keniston-Longrie, a recreational rider and graduate of the University of Washington, is the great-granddaughter of Clay Lincoln Keniston who arrived in Tacoma in 1884 as a blacksmith. Keniston-Longrie combined her passion for history and recreational riding to create this pictorial equestrian history of the prairies in Lakewood, south of Tacoma.Hudson's Bay Company and horse-race activities in the 1840s. Title: Woodbrook Hunt Club topic for May 19 meeting Author: Dave Sclair Publisher: The Suburban Times Date: 5/14/09 The oldest fox hunting club west of the Mississippi River happens to be located in the Lakewood area and will be the subject of the May 19 meeting of the Lakewood Historical Society. The Woodbrook Hunt Club was co-founded in 1926 by Maj. J. H. Mathews and Thornwood Estate superintendent Thomas Bryan. Local author and horseback riding enthusiast Joy Keniston-Longrie has written a book, published by Arcadia Publishing, about the club and will be the meeting speaker. The book contains more than 200 black and white images and provides a fascinating look at the history of hunting and recreational riding on the southern prairies of Washington State. Becky Huber, president of the historical society, said the monthly meeting will be held at the Lakewood Library starting at 7 pm. The public is invited to attend and there is no charge. In addition to the a