What was there before it was a museum?
Before it was the Derby Historical Society Museum, it was a 1923 school building. This building served all 12 grades
until 1952, when a separate high school was built.
Who takes care of and maintains the Museum?
The Derby Historical Society and community volunteers maintain the museum. Tours are available by appointment.
What kinds of things will I see when I visit?
The museum houses thousands of historical artifacts, including a 1870 log cabin that was originally built near
Oxford, Kan. and was moved from Friends University in Wichita to the Derby Historical Museum in 1995. Inside the cabin
are antique items representing an actual cabin from that time period. The museum also houses the largest displayed
collection of arrowheads in Kansas. Exhibits at the museum include a school room that has a variety of historical
school items including desks, slates, books and much more. A general store that has a collection of antique
pharmaceutical items, scales, ladies' shoes and more; A cemetery record book from El Paso Cemetery with burials
from 1878 to 1975; Derby High School yearbooks and photos from the early 20th century; An original two-horse
covered wagon that traveled to the Derby area from North Carolina in the 1860s; A music room featuring a variety
of organs and antique phonograph players, many of which came from original Derby families; A sewing room with items
that include a 40,000 piece button collection; and an original safe from the old Farmer's and Merchants State Bank in Derby.
Where is it located?
It is located in Derby Kansas on the corner of S Woodlawn Blvd and E Market St.
208 N Westview Dr, Derby, KS 67037
What are its hours?
Open the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month, From April to November.
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Visit the Contact Us page for more information!