Advertisement, 1962 Kentucky Derby Museum Opening, Churchill Downs, Original Magazine Ad, Vintage Ephemera

The museum that took twenty-three years to build — announced here first.

• Maker: Churchill Downs
• Material: Paper, two-color print
• Dimensions: 12.5" x 10.75"
• Era: Vintage, 1962
• Origin: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
• Condition: Very good vintage. Age toning; no tears noted; colors remain clear. Please review photos closely before purchasing, as all sales are final.

An exceptional gift for Kentucky Derby enthusiasts, horse racing collectors, or anyone with deep roots in Louisville and Churchill Downs history. Frame-worthy and historically significant.

In 1962, Churchill Downs ran this full-page two-color advertisement announcing plans for a Kentucky Derby Museum to house all racing mementos in one place. What makes it truly rare: it wasn't until 1978 that Churchill Downs leadership publicly disclosed the plans, the architectural model wasn't unveiled until 1983, and the museum didn't open until April 28, 1985. This ad predates all of it by more than two decades — a genuine piece of horse racing history hiding in plain sight. We have not found another like it.

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