Homer Kemp, esteemed Department Chair of the English Department and a Founder of the Upper Cumberland Institute, holding an item from the Tennessee Tech History Museum, 1979.

The History Club once sponsored a museum in the Administration Building, 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 for placement in the 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 the Civil War officer and Tennessee state representative, General William Bates Stokes. 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 for many years.