We offer an enquiry service at all three of our sites:

Derby Museum and Art Gallery, The Silk Mill and Pickford’s House

Our Service

We will try to give you an opinion on the age, identity and significance of your objects.
We do not give valuations.

Alternatively, you may have a request for information which is unrelated to an object. We will be happy to help you with this type of query too.

You can contact our curators in several ways; 
    by telephone, 
    by letter, 
    in person at the museums,
    or by e-mail.

Derby Museum and Art Gallery

Archaeology
Decorative Arts
Joseph Wright of Derby
Ceramics
Fine Art
Local Photographic Archive
Militaria
Natural History / Geology
General museum enquiries
and Events

The Silk Mill - Derby’s Museum of Industry and History

Industry and Technology
Transport History
Social History

Pickford’s House - Museum of Georgian Life and Historic Costume

Costume and Textiles
Toys and Games
Jewellery

What kind of object or query will the museum help with?

We specialise in the history, archaeology, natural history, art and industry of Derby and its surrounding area. We are often able to help with the identification of material from other areas, too. If we can’t identify something ourselves, we will suggest another organisation or source of information.

Each of our three museums specialises in different subject areas. Before contacting us, look at the list and decide which museum you need to approach. If you’re not sure, telephone Derby Museum and Art Gallery on 01332 641901 - minicom 01332 256666.

Telephoning the museums

You can telephone the appropriate museum site and speak to the curator if he or she is available. Telephone numbers are in the address section at the end of this sheet.

Writing to the museums

Write to the curator at the appropriate museum site. If your query relates to an object, please give as much detail about it as you can, including what you know of its recent history - e.g. where you found it; how long it has been in your family, etc. Photographs or drawings are always very helpful.

Calling in Person at the museums

Please make an appointment to see a curator by telephoning 01332 641901.

If you prefer, you may leave your object at the museum and call for it at a later date, after the curator has seen it. We will give you a receipt. Please bring this with you when you return to collect your item.

Collecting your objects from the museums

If you leave an object at the museum for identification, it must be collected within 14 days after the curator has looked at it. Please collect items during our opening hours - at the end of this sheet. Please note that we reserve the right to dispose of uncollected items after three months from the date of deposit.

e-mailing the museums

You can contact the museum by e-mailing museums@derby.gov.uk

How to help us to help you

If you are disabled or bringing in a large item, we may be able to reserve a parking space for you.

If you cannot bring the item into the museum, please bring a photograph or a drawing.

We may ask what you know about the item, e.g. where it came from, and when.

Please bring insects and other live creatures for identification in clean, escape-proof containers. This is particularly important for pest insects.

Enquirers occasionally offer the object in question to the museum as a gift. We are most grateful for the offer of donations, and if the item comes within the scope of Derby Museums’ collecting policy, we may be pleased to accept a gift.

We have a portable miniloop available at Derby Museum and Art Gallery.

Is there a charge for the service?

In most cases, no. If you wish to show your appreciation for the service, each museum has a donations box. Occasionally an enquiry may involve extended research by a member of staff. In such cases we reserve the right to make a charge, and we would discuss this with you before embarking on the research.

Information supplied to environmental consultants from the museum’s Biological Records Centre is charged at a commercial rate.