Derby House was built by the Carter family in 1789 and was owned for much
of the 20th century by Ruth Derby, who boarded many Pillow artists in her home. The building is now used for storage, meetings, and house guests. Visit the dance Archives to see a photo of "Mother Derby" standing in the doorway of Derby House with her welcoming smile and shotgun.
The house, barn and grounds were integral parts of Joanna Haigood's Invisible Wings, a site specific work featuring the Pillow as a station on the Underground Railroad. The work has been produced twice on Pillow grounds, originally in 1998 and again in 2007 for the 75th Anniversary season. Also in 2007 the Pillow was acknowledged as a site on the Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail. A plaque at the Welcome Center honors this piece of the Pillow's long history as a safe haven and pioneering spirit in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.
The house, barn and grounds were integral parts of Joanna Haigood's Invisible Wings, a site specific work featuring the Pillow as a station on the Underground Railroad. The work has been produced twice on Pillow grounds, originally in 1998 and again in 2007 for the 75th Anniversary season. Also in 2007 the Pillow was acknowledged as a site on the Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail. A plaque at the Welcome Center honors this piece of the Pillow's long history as a safe haven and pioneering spirit in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.
Derby House
"With its bucolic setting and its celebrated history, being at Jacob's Pillow is as close to dance heaven as one can get."
- The Hartford Courant
