Derby Historical Society

Derby Historical Society Come see our new Museum. Open Sunday afternoons or by appt.

Join the celebration on October 3rd !
09/04/2026

Join the celebration on October 3rd !

Here's a great 1929 image done by JJ Parker photographer of Derby Line. It's of a DeSoto automobile rally held at Kelley...
08/24/2026

Here's a great 1929 image done by JJ Parker photographer of Derby Line. It's of a DeSoto automobile rally held at Kelley's Cabins on Rt. 5. It was organized by local DeSoto dealer George Ames of Derby Line. You see the old International Band in the foreground. Sent to the Derby Historical Society by former resident Reg Cranmer who was in attendance as a child with his parents.

The Derby Historical Society just received a number of antique local photos and several reference books from Gerald Buzz...
08/17/2026

The Derby Historical Society just received a number of antique local photos and several reference books from Gerald Buzzell, son of the late Hall and Shirley Buzzell who used to own the farm at Shattuck Hill. Both of their families date back to the earliest days of local history to the Hinman, Sias and Hall families. Here's a photo of the John and F***y Hinman family taken in 1891. John was a son of Derby's founder, Timothy Hinman and wife F***y was a Sias.
The second photo is of David Sanford Hinman, with his horse, in front of the family home, which I believe still stands today on the Darling Hill Road.

Excellent program at the Museum yesterday celebrating the life of an extremely interesting lady, Flora Coutts. DHS Boar...
08/10/2026

Excellent program at the Museum yesterday celebrating the life of an extremely interesting lady, Flora Coutts. DHS Board member Christy Aldrich followed Flora's life from her early days in Charleston and Hardwick to her adventures during WW2 in India, China and Burma with the Red Cross. She was one of eight children with 3 of her sisters marrying 3 local Aldrich boys. Her husband Dean's mother was one of those sisters. Christy had slides and an incredible scrapbook of Flora's life and times. Flora was instrumental in creating the local Coutts-Moriarty 4-H camp on Lake Salem, Jay Peak and also served several terms in the VT Legislature, being the second woman ever to be elected in the State to that office. Her family donated the majority of her papers to the Vermont Historical Society where they'll be protected for future generations to view.

06/29/2026

Join us on the 4th of July ! We are open beginning at 10 am ! Come and see some history of Derby !

Bruce Muir with Ernest Judd hanging a plaque dedicated in memory of Martha Judd for her longtime involvement with the De...
06/18/2026

Bruce Muir with Ernest Judd hanging a plaque dedicated in memory of Martha Judd for her longtime involvement with the Derby Academy Alumni Association and Derby Historical Society. Thank you Ernest for your donation in Martha’s memory.

Great turnout for our xylophone presentation ! Thanks so much Tori Young !
06/18/2026

Great turnout for our xylophone presentation ! Thanks so much Tori Young !

On Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 2 pmPlease join us at the Derby Historical Society for a presentation on Owls Head, the Sent...
06/17/2026

On Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 2 pm
Please join us at the Derby Historical Society for a presentation on Owls Head, the Sentinel of Lake Memphremagog
by Gordon DuBois

Owl’s Head Mountain that lies in Quebec on the west shore of Lake Memphremagog derives its name not because it resembles the head of the great predator bird, but for a revered Chief of the Abenaki Nation. Owl’s Head Mountain dominates the skyline on the west shore of Lake Memphremagog. The prominent peak rises 2,451 feet above the lake and is geologically connected the Appalachian Chain of mountains that stretch from Georgia to Nova Scotia and beyond into Ice land and Europe. Since the 1800s it has been a vacation destination for Americans and Canadians. Today the mountain offers a network of hiking trails to summit, which offer unmatched views of the lake and beyond, skiing, golf and even a natural amphitheater for Masonic ceremonies. The mountain is also enshrouded by legends and mysteries, including a route that a company of Roger’s Rangers took on their ill-fated retreat from their raid on the Abenaki village at St. Francis.
Using slides Gordon will open the door to learning more about this mountain and its place in the geological and historical significance of the Lake Memphremagog watershed. Gordon has hiked several of the trails leading to the summit and will share stunning views from the summit.

Calling all Women/Female Veterans of the Town of Derby ! Did you serve your country in the Military ? Did a relative o...
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.
Pass the word and share this post ! Thanks !

UP COMING PRESENTATION JUNE 14TH MARK YOUR CALENDARS !1900’s Deagan Xylophone Presentation and PerformanceThe J. C. De...
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.

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35 Junior High Drive
Derby Center, VT
05829

Telephone

+18022720883

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