Derby Historical Society

05/27/2026

Calling all Women/Female Veterans of the Town of Derby ! Did you serve your country in the Military ? Did a relative or friend serve ? We are doing a project that will highlight female Veterans at our museum. Please send us your photos in uniform and stories ! You can email them to Ken Lawson - [email protected] or mail them to Derby Historical Society PO Box 357 Derby VT 05829 Attn Ken.
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05/25/2026

UP COMING PRESENTATION JUNE 14TH MARK YOUR CALENDARS !

1900’s Deagan Xylophone Presentation and Performance

The J. C. Deagan Company was one of the most influential and innovative mallet percussion manufactures in 1900’s America. The Derby Historical Society received an antique Deagan xylophone that would have originally been a part of a larger theatre pipe organ instrument and was not intended to be played by a musician, but rather the machine of the organ. Local musician and aspiring music theorist, Tori Young will speak on the history of this unique instrument while also playing a modern xylophone to showcase some period pieces that would have been performed by the pipe organ utilizing the Deagan xylophone. The talk at the Derby Historical Society, 35 Junior High Drive, on Main Street in Derby will begin at 2pm June 14th and the event is free and open to all.

04/30/2026

Question of the day …… can anyone identify this house and its location? Is it still standing ? Thanks for the help !

03/05/2026

Spread the word to all that are interested !!!

The Civil War Round Table begins its 2026 season on Wednesday, March 18 at the Eastside Restaurant in Newport. Dinner begins at 6PM, pay as you go. The lecture begins at 7PM and is free and open to the public. Our speaker is Dr. Kevin Graffagnino, who has served with the University of Vermont, the Vermont Historical Society, and is the author many books and articles on various aspects of early American history. His lecture will be on his recent full-length book of a Vermont founding-father, Ira Allen. Kevin will have books available to sign and sell. For more information, please contact Ken Lawson at [email protected].

02/25/2026

Good Afternoon from the Derby Historical Society !

The days are getting longer and hopefully warmer soon. We are planning for the summer events at the Museum ! It will again be a full season of talks/lectures on interesting subjects about Derby and the surrounding areas ! We will welcome back Gordon Dubois, Ken Lawson and Allen Yale and hopefully some others ! We also have a great musical event planned for June ! Keep up to date with our announcements on our FaceBook page !

We have begun our annual membership dues campaign. Membership is just $10.00 per year ! Checks can be sent to:
Derby Historical Society
PO Box 357
35 Junior High Drive
Derby Vermont 05829

We hope to continue with some regular maintenance projects around the museum this summer, so if you would like to add some extra money to your membership dues, it would be greatly appreciated, and be assured that it will go towards our building's upkeep ! As always any donation is tax deductible.

I would like to thank Allen Yale and Maryann Tetrault for their many years of service to the Derby Historical Society. They have served on our board for many years and given countless hours to preserving Derby's history. Both are stepping away from the board, but will continue to be a priceless resource to us. Thank you Allen and Maryann !

If you are interested in joining our Board of Directors, please come to the next board meeting on March 28th. Email me for more information about the time and location !

And lastly..... we would like to build and install a glass case in the museum to display Military Uniforms and historical Garments that have been donated. We have gotten a couple of estimates and the price is out of our reach currently. Do you have or know someone with finish carpentry- cabinetry skills that could help out and donate their time to a great cause to preserve our history ?? Do you have some materials laying around that you could donate to build cabinets ? Do you just want to donate money to a great cause to preserve these Military and Historical Garments ? Please send us an email !

Thanks to everyone for your continued interest in the Derby Historical Society !
Judy Coy
President

02/22/2026

In need of help ! Here is an old photo of a barn taken in Derby. Can anyone identify who’s barn, where it was and if it’s still standing ? Thanks for the assistance!

11/09/2025

On Wednesday, November 19 Attorney Ed Nilson will speak on the Underground Railroad by water, about how escaped slaves often travelled north to freedom by sea. The meeting will be held at the Eastside Restaurant in Newport. The meal begins at 6PM, pay as you go. The lecture begins at 7PM and is free and open to the public. For more information contact Ken Lawson at [email protected].

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10/14/2025

We had a great turnout for Gordon Dubois' presentation on the Bayley-Hazen Military Road on Sunday. Thanks to all that came and shared ! It was great to see everyone !

10/13/2025

Anyone out there interested in an Antique Fair this winter. You bring your antique and our appraisers tell you what its worth !
Leave your comments below if you would like us to host one.

10/13/2025

Thank you to everyone that visited the Museum this season. We will be closed for the winter and re open in May.

We may be closed but our board members stay active all winter long planning and preparing for next season. If you would like to make a suggestion for presentations for next summer make a comment below !

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