Tennessee Tech History Museum

The History Club once sponsored a museum located in the Administration Building which is now known as Derryberry Hall. The museum was the brainchild of Dr. John A. Rickard who allowed students who wished to be exempt from his finals to bring items worthy of museum exhibition to him to place in this collection.

Under the guidance of Dr. J. A. Rickard, the museum showcased war relics, local artifacts, and cultural items, including Civil War bayonets, Indian relics, and folk costumes. Even at one point, it housed the pen that was used to sign the University into existence and a scrapbook kept by controversial Civil War office and Tennessee state representative, General William Bates Stokes. Moreover, many of the University’s extensive collection of weapons was donated by the U.S. War Department.

Contributions from students and the community enriched the collection, making it a valued institution at Tennessee Tech.