Kentucky Derby Museum

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...

Katie Fussenegger has been appointed Vice President of the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville, Kentucky. She officially joins Kentucky Derby Museum Feb. 10. In her new role, Fussenegger will oversee daily operations, provide leadership oversight and work to increase revenue for several departments, including visitor services, retail and membership. Additionally, she will oversee the museum's overall budget, while maintaining and tracking financial records of multiple department budgets and will be involved in hiring, developing and appraising staff. "Katie comes with a very impressive track record and strong endorsements from trusted...

Kentucky Derby Museum is adding a splash of bourbon to a new tour coming to the Museum Jan. 23. The Bourbon and Bridles Tour includes tour of Churchill Downs, intertwining the history of bourbon and horse racing in Kentucky. "Locals and out-of-towners are often looking to experience the same thing: horses and bourbon," said said Kentucky Derby Museum President & CEO, Patrick Armstrong. "Why not give them both in one location? The ties between bourbon and horse racing run together throughout Kentucky Derby history, and to us, is an obvious...