Kentucky Derby Museum

The Kentucky Derby Museum is launching the "Best Kentucky Derby Stories" Contest. Contestants from anywhere in the world can submit their story along with photos or videos on derbymuseum.org. Any stories submitted will be shared on Kentucky Derby Museum's social media pages and website and will also be displayed at the Museum. Participants are encouraged to share their story on social media by tagging Kentucky Derby Museum and using the hashtags, #MyDerbyStory and #DerbyEveryDay. Grand Prize winner receives: A box at Churchill Downs during the Spring Meet (excluding Derby week)...

Kentucky Derby Museum is offering a Spring Break deal where children 14 and under receive FREE general admission from Mar. 27 - Apr. 3*. Activities will include a Historic Walking Tour of Churchill Downs, see "The Greatest Race," the Museum's 360° media experience, participate in a scavenger hunt and special crafts as well as benefit from a 10% discount on regularly-priced merchandise in the Kentucky Derby Museum Store. Lunch will be available for purchase at the Derby Cafe Express. *A parent or guardian must be present with children at all...

Louisville's Kentucky Derby Museum is under construction, with demolition beginning on the first floor for an expanded Black Heritage in Racing exhibit. Due to open at the end of March, the exhibit, which has had a permanent display inside the museum since 1993, is moving to a larger and more prominent location. More artifacts and artwork will also be added to the exhibit, which documents the stories and contributions of Black horsemen in racing. The new exhibit space, just shy of 930 square feet, will lead visitors through the history...

The Kentucky Derby Museum will be awarding 40 teachers and their classrooms free virtual field trips. In a typical year, the museum hosts field trips for over 15,000 students, but the pandemic has forced the cancellation of in-person tours. To enter the contest, teachers need to fill out the online form. Kentucky Derby Museum will choose at random, 20 local teachers from Kentucky and southern Indiana area, and 20 teachers from across the country. The giveaway has been made possible through donations to the city-wide Give for Good Louisville campaign...

Officials at the Kentucky Derby Museum have announced five new members to its Board of Directors. Joining the Board are Brandy Harmon, Vice President of Ticketing & Venue Operations for Breeders' Cup Ltd.; Ja Hillebrand, CEO of Stock Yards Bank & Trust; Briana Lathon, Senior Compliance Officer, Group & Military at Humana; and returning to the Board is Harold Workman, who is retired from his career in public service. "It has been a tough year on many businesses, but especially for non-profit organizations like the Kentucky Derby Museum," said Pat...

The Kentucky Derby Museum presents the grand opening of the new 'Right to Ride' exhibit, featuring legendary female jockeys Patti Barton, Patti Cooksey, Barbara Jo Rubin and Donna Barton Brothers, at 12:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16. The opening will be highlighted by a ribbon cutting celebration and the featured jockeys in the exhibit will be on hand for media interviews. For more information, visit www.derbymuseum.org.

The Kentucky Derby Museum will open the new "Right to Ride" exhibit Friday, Oct. 16. The exhibit features the history-making first female jockeys in the sport, with a spotlight on the stories of women facing gender discrimination as they fought to ride. Specifically highlighted are women riders who broke down the barriers, including Diane Crump, who was the first woman to ride in the Kentucky Derby 50 years ago. Over 20 hours of oral history video interviews with female riders who had an impact on American racing form the centerpiece...

The Kentucky Derby Museum has canceled its 34th annual Gala, presented by Central Bank & Trust Co. With the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, this decision was made in the interest of public health and in the best interest of the community. Historically, the evening serves as the premier fundraising event for the Kentucky Derby Museum, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. The rescheduled Gala was slated for Friday, Aug. 28. "The pandemic has created a very challenging business environment, especially for non-profit organizations like the Kentucky Derby Museum," said Patrick...

The Kentucky Derby Museum announced the addition of tours at Churchill Downs June 29. Following closure Mar. 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the museum reopened June 8 but was restricted from conducting tours at Churchill Downs due to health restrictions. For the first time, Churchill Downs is allowing Museum Guests to access The Mansion on two tours: Behind the Scenes and the Churchill Downs After-Hours Tours. The tours offer special access to non-public areas of Churchill Downs Racetrack, including the invitation-only venue called The Mansion. The museum will also...

The Kentucky Derby Museum is donating over $10,000 to support COVID-19 relief efforts in the state after the success of its Collect to Contribute campaign. The Kentucky Derby Museum closed to in-person visitors mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic.  During the shutdown, the Museum's Collect to Contribute online retail campaign sold collectible Derby 146 merchandise branded with the original Kentucky Derby date of May 2, 2020. The Museum pledged to donate 20% of the profits to Governor Andy Beshear's Team Kentucky Fund and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer's One Louisville: COVID-19...

The Kentucky Derby Museum is now offering virtual tours that are designed to let fans experience "Derby Day Everday." Through the tour, guests can view collections, exhibits and go on personal virtual tours of iconic Churchill Downs with a museum tour guide. The online museum is updated daily and each day curatorial experts bring visitors featured artifacts, fun facts, oral history videos, educational lessons, and activities they can do at home. "Traditions provide an anchor for us in a constantly moving world," says Chris Goodlett, Director of Curatorial Education for...

Following the rescheduling of the Kentucky Derby Week in September, the Kentucky Derby Museum has rescheduled its Derby Week museum events. Big Brims and Fancy Trims Hat Sale - Aug. 6 Fan Fest - Aug. 16 (Official Kentucky Derby Festival Event) Kentucky Derby Museum Gala - Aug. 28 Biscuits and Bourbon - Sept. 2 Thurby VIP Lounge - Sept. 3 Originally slated to open Apr. 19, Kentucky Derby Museum's new exhibit, "Right to Ride"-paying tribute to female jockeys and their journey in Thoroughbred racing--is currently under construction and an alternate...