Our history

Derby Computer Museum was founded by Rob Watson in Summer 2021. Having amassed a collection of vintage computers and seeing a lack of things for families to do in Derby city centre, Rob had the idea for Derby Computer Museum.

After securing space for the museum (at his own cost), Rob soon realised that putting the museum together is a task he couldn't complete on his own and that there needed to be a "bigger picture". Over the next year and a half about a dozen volunteers with a variety of skills joined the team and grafted to get the museum open. We were also approached by Joe Johnson at Horizons Sixth Form (for kids with special educational needs) and working with young adults with special educational needs quickly became an important part of our mission.

In May 2022 we managed to secure status as a registered charity (quite a feat!) and we are registered charity number 1199054. We since had many donations of exhibits.

After a huge amount of work setting up the museum, repairing exhibits, painting & decorating, and much more besides the museum opened to the public in December 2022.