Derby Museum and Art Gallery

The Strand, Derby DE1 1BS

telephone: 01332 716659
email: museums@derby.gov.uk
fax: 01332 716670
minicom: 01332 256666

       

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The museum is lending paintings to a prestigious exhibition at Yale Centre for British Art, New Haven, USA from 22 May 2008 to 30 August 2008.  During this time we will redisplay our collection of Joseph Wright paintings in the gallery and will include a small exhibition about the work of his close friend the Derby clockmaker and geologist John Whitehurst.

The Collection

Derby Museum and Art Gallery houses a wide range of important and attractive collections, covering porcelain, paintings, archaeology, history, local regiments, geology and wildlife. Paintings by the celebrated 18th Century Derby artist Joseph Wright, Associate of the Royal Accademy (1734-97) include portraits, landscapes, subjects from literature and scenes of industry and scientific equipment that represent this exciting period of pioneering discovery. This is the largest collection of the artist's work in any public gallery in the world. 
Now you are also invited to come along to the Joseph Wright Gallery and park your bottom on an original piece of art!

The Museum’s collection of fine Derby porcelain, produced in the city since about 1750, is of international importance.

The Archaeology Gallery contains local material from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages, with several fine Anglo-Saxon crosses and a splendid sarcophagus. There are also two Egyptian mummies.

The Military Gallery (closed from 1 June 2007 until further notice) tells the stories of local regiments such as the 9th/12th Royal Lancers, the Derbyshire Yeomanry and the Sherwood Foresters, with information available on a touch-screen computer.

The reconstructed Bonnie Prince Charlie Room commemorates Derby’s role in the 1745 Jacobite uprising complete with a figure of the Prince himself telling the tale of his doomed attempt to seize the throne.

Derbyshire geology and wildlife feature in the Museum’s latest displays, with a Time Tunnel, walk-in cave, hands-on exhibits, discovery area and a stunning series of reconstructed natural settings with typical Derbyshire wildlife.

The Museum’s exciting and varied temporary exhibition programme provides about 20 regularly changing shows a year. There is also a schools service, holiday activities for all ages, and a museum shop selling an attractive range of souvenirs, slides, postcards and books on local topics.

Friends of the Museum
Friends of Derby Museum give help and support to the museum and also enjoy a full programme of interesting talks, activities and projects.

Donations
If you have an item that may be of interest to the museum please contact us. We are also grateful for any financial donations to help develop the museum's collections.

Parking 
The nearest is the Parksafe car park at Bold Lane. There is limited street parking on the Strand. There are cycle stands near the entrances on The Strand and The Wardwick. 

Facilities for disabled visitors
The museum is fully accessible to wheelchair users. Baby changing facilities and toilets for all visitors are on the second floor.

Group visits
If you wish to visit the museum as an organised group, just let us know before you come and what you want to see. This helps us to aviod a clash with other groups.

Guided tours
Guided tours and introductory talks are available for groups. There is a small fee for this service, and booking is essential.

Museum Education
Teachers can lead their own visits, or book one of the sessions led by one of the museum's staff. We strongly recommend you visit us before organising a visit. The Education team are always willing to meet teachers on site to discuss their specific requirements.

We welcome schools to the museum, but all school visits must be booked in advance.