Museums and Groups in Derbyshire

There are plenty of ways to get involved with the history and archaeology of Derbyshire. Why not visit a museum or join an archaeological society?

Many Portable Antiquities Scheme finds can be seen on display at museums around the county (see the links that accompany the descriptions below).

 

Museums

Buxton Museum and Art Gallery

Buxton Museum’s archaeology gallery (‘Wonders of the Peak’) is currently being refurbished and is due to reopen in Spring 2017. The collection holds several significant finds recorded by the PAS, such as the Kirk Ireton Hoard (YORYM-755D34).

Chesterfield Museum and Art Gallery

Chesterfield Museum and Art Gallery has a display of excavated finds from Chesterfield and the surrounding area. Also displayed is the Morton Hoard of Roman denarii that was discovered in the late 1980s, before the PAS existed. The collection also holds a few PAS finds, including a gold memorial ring (DENO-77F092).

Creswell Crags Museum and Visitor Centre

The Creswell Crags Museum and Visitor Centre houses the objects that were found within the famous caves of Creswell Crags, which have been used for the last 55,000 years. The caves also also contain some of the earliest art discovered in Britain. The PAS is currently working with Creswell Crags to record a large collection of flint tools and cores discovered by a field walker over the last 30 years.

Derby Museum and Art Gallery

Derby Museum and Art Gallery houses objects from most of the southern half of Derbyshire, including a Bronze Age log boat discovered at Shardlow, Roman artefacts excavated at Little Chester and Derby Racecourse, and Viking objects excavated at Repton. The collection includes several exciting PAS finds such as one of the gold aurei from the Ashbourne Hoard (DENO-64DAE1) and the Amber Valley Hoard (DENO-A6AE06). Although neither is on permanent display, they can sometimes be seen on display in temporary exhibitions or at special events.

Erewash Museum

Erewash Museum houses archaeological collections from Erewash district. Among the objects is a gilded silver posy ring (DENO-FD1D98).

Societies & Organisations

Derbyshire Archaeological Society

The Derbyshire Archaeological Society is the county’s main archaeological society and produces the annual Derbyshire Archaeological Journal.