201 N. Beckwith Street
Malden, MO
573-276-5008

The Malden Historical Museum was founded in 1955 by Mary Kochtitzky, who began collecting historical information and articles from area residents. The museum was originally housed in one room in the back of the Malden Library which was founded by Mary’s sister Elise Kochtitzky Byrd. Residents of the area donated a number of antiques to the museum for display and soon the meager space wasn’t large enough to display all of its collection and displays were changed using a rotating system. In 1980 Floyd and Vera Brown donated their home at 201 North Beckwith Street to the museum. Following extensive renovation, the Malden Historical Museum opened its doors at its new home in 1983 and has much more space to disp[lay its ample collection of historical artifacts and memorabilia.

Visitors entering the Malden Historical Museum take an immediate step into the past as they view a beautifully decorated living area with period furnishings and clothing exhibits and an antique doll collection. The museum boasts an extensive collection of period garments and accessories from the 1800s and 1900s. The museum’s military section contains artifacts from conflicts that local residents served in ranging from World War I to the present. A collection of surgical instruments used during the Civil War are on display. Visitors will also find a large collection of Indian pottery, baskets, dolls, arrow heads and ceremonial headdresses.

Some of the museum’s most important pieces is the rare Dennis Collection of Egyptian Antiquities. James Teackle Dennis, a wealthy, aristocratic lawyer left a promising political career in Maryland to go to the Nile River to investigate the mysteries of ancient Egypt. Through his connections, Dennis went to in Egypt in 1905 with the archaeological expedition headed by Dr. Edouard Naville of Geneva, Switzerland. He was hired as the official decipherer of hieroglyphic inscriptions and as artist to make detailed drawings and diagrams of temples, tombs and other archaeological features to be studied. Mr. Dennis' detailed drawings, his photographs, and transcriptions of his decipherings of hieroglyphics are said to have been taken to Geneva, Switzerland, where they were put into books under the name of Dr. Naville. During this time, two major finds - the Shrine of Hathor with its famed sacred beast and the tomb and mummy of King Mentuhotep III - were made by the Naville party and Mr. Dennis played a key role in both. He was made director on the spot of the excavations in the winter of 1906. A collection of small pieces from Egypt found their way to Maiden when they were acquired by Dennis' nieces, Mary Kochtitsky and Elise Kochtitsky Byrd. These artifacts were discovered during an expedition in 1905-07 by Dennis and make up the Dennis Collection of Egyptian Antiquities. Many of his photographs taken and letters composed at the excavation sites are on display at the museum as part of the "Dennis Collection".

The museum puts together special exhibits to highlight specific aspects of life in the Maiden area. Examples of displays include "Back to the 40s and 50s," "Easter Bonnets," "History of Malden Schools," and "Barn Again." The museum has an Archival Room where the store of histories, oral tapes, maps and pictures is steadily increasing. All these resources are being gathered into one room for easy access and preservation. The museum receives no financial assistance from the city, state or national governments and is solely funded by memberships, memorials and donations.

Visiting the Malden Historical Museum
Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday: 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
There is no charge to visit the Malden Historical Museum, although donations are welcome.