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Rehoboth Beach Historical Society

The Rehoboth Beach Historical Society preserves and shares the history of Rehoboth Beach, DE, through engaging exhibits, educational programs, and community events, fostering appreciation for the town's cultural heritage and historical significance.

Location: Boardwalk Plaza Hotel, meeting room Rehoboth was founded in 1873 as a Methodist camp meeting town - no dancing, no card playing, no drinking. It took less than three years for Bill Bright to test the resolve. From then until today amusements have thrived in Rehoboth... including orchestras. Punch and Judy shows,. vaudeville, arcades, rides, theaters, roller rinks, and bowling alleys. Come to the lecture, see the images, and hear the stories. **Proceeds from Rehoboth Beach Museum events support event costs and museum operations. Refund requests must be submitted at least 72 hours before the event start time. Requests received within 72 hours of the event cannot be honored; the purchase will be considered a donation to the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society &amp; Museum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. If the museum cancels an event, a full refund will be issued to all ticket holders. Service fees are nonrefundable.**

Breaking the Rules: A History of Rehoboth's Amusements

Pedal through more than a century of Rehoboth Beach history on this guided two-hour bicycle tour led by local historians Patricia and Roger Truitt. Beginning at the Anna Hazzard Tent House, one of the last surviving structures from Rehoboth&rsquo;s Methodist camp-meeting era, riders are welcomed by &ldquo;Reverend Todd,&rdquo; a beloved living-history character who sets the stage for a journey through the landscapes, waterways, and stories that shaped this storied seaside city.From the Tent House, the tour makes its way to Silver Lake, where the Truitts share the history of the Nanticoke people, the first inhabitants of this coastal landscape. Riders then head to the Boardwalk, where the drama of the open Atlantic takes center stage &mdash; tales of legendary shipwrecks, prowling German U-boats, and the powerful storms that have tested Rehoboth&rsquo;s shores for generations. Continuing along the Boardwalk, the tour stops at the historic WCTU Fountain and the site of Horn&rsquo;s Pavilion before reaching the northern end, where the story of the grand Henlopen Hotel and the early development of the Boardwalk itself comes to life. A peaceful detour to Lake Gerar follows, offering a moment of reflection before riders pedal on to Henlopen Acres and a visit to the Homestead at the Rehoboth Art League. The tour concludes with a pass through historic Epworth Cemetery and shaded Grove Park before returning to the Museum, where the group gathers for a discussion of two stories essential to Rehoboth&rsquo;s identity: the construction of the Lewes&ndash;Rehoboth Canal and the often-overlooked contributions of African Americans to the city&rsquo;s history. An optional Museum tour and Diorama presentation round out the morning.

Historic Rehoboth Beach Bike Tour

From schoolgirl samplers to household embroidery to quilts and other forms of decorative needlework, Delaware&#39;s stitched objects preserve stories of education, &nbsp;family, community, and place. Drawing primarily from the collections of Winterthur Museum, Garden &amp; Library, Linda Eaton associate curator of textiles, Matthew Monk explores the first state&#39;s needlework traditions from the eighteenth through twentieth centuries. Looking closely at the people who made, used, and preserved these objects, the talk considers what needlework can reveal about everyday life across the state and how Delaware&#39;s textile traditions connected its communities to the wider world. &nbsp; Matt&#39;s Bio: Matthew E. Monk is the Linda Eaton Associate Curator of Textiles at Winterthur and an Affiliated Assistant Professor in the Winterthur Program in American Material Culture, where he teaches textile history and analysis and advises fellows&#39; theses. **Proceeds from Rehoboth Beach Museum events support event costs and museum operations. Refund requests must be submitted at least 72 hours before the event start time. Requests received within 72 hours of the event cannot be honored; the purchase will be considered a donation to the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society &amp; Museum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. If the museum cancels an event, a full refund will be issued to all ticket holders. Service fees are nonrefundable.**

Stitching A State: Delaware Needlework in the Winterthur Collection

The Rehoboth Beach Historical Society continues to offer its Ocean Block/Boardwalk walking tours this season, twice a month on Thursdays starting from the bandstand on Rehoboth Avenue at 9am. The tour is a gentle 90minute stroll around town highlighting the history and pointing out important landmarks all while showing pictures from different time periods. Topics include native peoples, the Methodist Camp Meetings, fires, WWII, shipwrecks, storms and more. Parking passes for the tour will be provided when meters are operating. Bring water and comfortable walking shoes.

Boardwalk Walking Tours

The Spunky Women of Rehoboth Tour begins at 9:00 am at the Village Improvement Association parking lot located next to the Henlopen, the boardwalk and Grenoble Place. Wear comfortable shoes, and bring a bottle of water for visiting the clubhouse and strolling through town highlighting the women of Rehoboth who made the town a &ldquo;more pleasant place&rdquo; to live and vacation. &nbsp;Our stroll will include the town history and improvements, the founding of the Rehoboth Art league, the Rehoboth Library, the Mosquito Matron, the children&rsquo;s fishing pier and Irene Dupont&rsquo;s plans for Lake Gerar. The tour continues with stories with photos about health care, real estate, businesswomen and entrepreneurs, suffragettes, restaurateurs, philanthropists, from beautification to comfort stations. The guides will end the tour at the Anna Hazzard Museum on Christian Street.

Spunky Women Walking Tour

Friday, August 7th &middot; 6:00 PM Rehoboth Beach Country Club Join us for an evening of dinner, dancing, and celebration at our Annual Beach Ball &mdash; a beloved Rehoboth Beach Museum tradition. This year&#39;s event holds special significance as we honor the 50th Anniversary of the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society. Gather with us for a memorable night featuring live and silent auctions, all set against the backdrop of the stunning Rehoboth Beach Country Club. *When purchasing tickets, you have the option to add a donation to the servicer, Zeffy, to help keep it free for non-profits. To remove this additional donation, choose Other on the dropdown menu and leave it blank or put 0.00.&nbsp;*If you do not see your tickets emailed immediately please check your spam folder.

21st Annual Beach Ball

For a blast from the past, don&rsquo;t miss the Rehoboth Beach Museum&rsquo;s re-creation of Acoustic Jam Night, the popular musical event held at The Front Page Restaurant &amp; Bar from 1984 through 1993. Located at 52 Baltimore Avenue, The Front Page was a fixture of Rehoboth&rsquo;s live music scene &mdash; a place where local musicians developed and shared their talents before enthusiastic crowds. This year&rsquo;s Jam Night will be on Thursday, July 16, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Rehoboth Beach Museum. &ldquo;The Front Page was a kind of melting pot of live music in its era. It fostered a lot of different kinds of music, and gave local musicians a chance to express themselves in front of an always-supportive audience,&rdquo; said Terry Plowman, former owner of The Front Page. Over the 10 years of Acoustic Jam at the Front Page, hundreds of amateur and professional musicians performed for an enthusiastic crowd every Tuesday in the summer and every Saturday in the off-season. The Front Page sign is part of the Rehoboth Beach Museum&rsquo;s permanent collection, and serves as a tangible reminder of the venue&rsquo;s place in the community&rsquo;s cultural history. Reservations are limited. The cost to enjoy this fundraiser is $25. Parking is available and the museum is handicapped-accessible.

Acoustic Jam

Join artist Heidi Lowe for a hands-on metalworking workshop inspired by her acclaimed exhibition Metal &amp; Memory: An Artistic Dialogue with History, currently on view at the Rehoboth Beach Museum. Metal &amp; Memory is a dialogue between past and present, exploring Rehoboth Beach&#39;s rich cultural history through historical artifacts and contemporary artistic interpretation. Each of Lowe&#39;s pieces highlights a different metalworking technique while focusing on key aspects of the city&#39;s identity &mdash; from its Native American origins and Methodist Camp Meeting Ground legacy to its Beach and Boardwalk culture, African American community history, and LGBTQ+ heritage. Her piece Round and Round, a kinetic necklace with spinning rondels, was inspired by a vintage Funland &quot;Down the Clown&quot; game pin in the museum&#39;s collection. In this workshop, participants will learn fundamental metalworking techniques directly from Lowe as they create their own kinetic sculpture pendant inspired by Round and Round. No prior experience is necessary. All materials are supplied. Each participant will leave with a handmade piece and a deeper connection to Rehoboth Beach&#39;s rich cultural history.

Metal & Memory: Kinetic Sculpture Pendant Workshop with Artist Heidi Lowe

In this workshop, Pate will guide participants through writing exercises exploring family and place &mdash; the themes at the heart of his celebrated novel West of Rehoboth. Set in the early 1960s, the novel tells the story of a young boy whose family summers in Rehoboth Beach&rsquo;s historic African American community. Drawing on that same spirit, participants will use their own connections to family and place as the raw material for storytelling. The workshop is open to the public and writers of all levels. Participants are encouraged to bring their preferred writing materials &mdash; a journal, paper and pen, laptop, or tablet. Alexs Pate is a New York Times bestselling author whose novels include Amistad, Losing Absalom, and Finding Makeba. He is also the creator of the Innocent Classroom, an educator training program active in schools nationwide. RBHS and DAC are proud to welcome him back to Rehoboth Beach &mdash; a place he knows well from his own summers here.

Writing Our Stories: A Juneteenth Celebration Workshop with West of Rehoboth Author Alexs Pate

From the colonial era to the present day, LGBTQ+ Delawareans have shaped the history of the First State &mdash; even when their stories went untold. Join us in June for Queering Delaware History, a program presented by Carolanne Deal, researcher and contributor to the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs&#39; groundbreaking digital project, LGBTQ+ History of Delaware: We Have Always Been Here.Drawing on years of research, Carolanne will bring to life the queer people, places, artists, authors, and landmark documents that have left an indelible mark on Delaware history. This engaging program reclaims and celebrates stories that have too often been overlooked &mdash; because, as the history shows, we have always been here.

Queering Delaware History

Join us for a wonderful day trip to Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens in Washington, D.C. &mdash; one of the most elegant house museums in America. Founded by Marjorie Merriweather Post, the cereal heiress and renowned philanthropist and collector, Hillwood showcases her extraordinary passion for art and beauty. Explore the stunning 1950s mansion, where room after room reveals one of the finest collections of Russian imperial art outside of Russia, alongside exquisite French decorative arts ranging from S&egrave;vres porcelain to Faberg&eacute; treasures. Then step outside to stroll through thirteen acres of beautifully maintained formal gardens, including a French parterre, rose garden, Japanese-style garden, and a working greenhouse and cutting garden. Whether you&#39;re drawn by the art, the history, the gardens, or simply the glamour of Marjorie Post&#39;s remarkable life, Hillwood offers a truly unforgettable experience.

Day Trip to Hillwood Estate

<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" fr-original-style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; table-layout: fixed; width: 600px;" id="isPasted" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-transform: none; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; table-layout: fixed; width: 600px; border: medium; empty-cells: show; max-width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;" width="100%"><tbody fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><tr fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><td fr-original-style="margin: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; padding-bottom: 20px;" style="margin: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; padding-bottom: 20px; min-width: 5px; box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); user-select: text;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" fr-original-style="border-collapse: collapse;" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; empty-cells: show; max-width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;" width="100%"><tbody fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><tr fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><td fr-original-style="margin: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px;" style="margin: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; min-width: 5px; box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); user-select: text;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" fr-original-style="border-collapse: collapse;" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; empty-cells: show; max-width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;" width="100%"><tbody fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><tr fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><td align="left" fr-original-style="margin: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(59, 63, 68); font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; word-break: break-word; text-align: left;" style="margin: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(59, 63, 68); font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; word-break: break-word; text-align: left; min-width: 5px; box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); user-select: text;">Join local historian Paul Lovett as he uncovers the fascinating transformation of the Thompson family farm into one of Rehoboth&#39;s most ambitious&mdash;yet forgotten&mdash;developments.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" fr-original-style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; table-layout: fixed; width: 600px;" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-transform: none; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; table-layout: fixed; width: 600px; border: medium; empty-cells: show; max-width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;" width="100%"><tbody fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><tr fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><td fr-original-style="margin: 0px; border-collapse: collapse;" style="margin: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 5px; box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); user-select: text;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" fr-original-style="border-collapse: collapse;" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; empty-cells: show; max-width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;" width="100%"><tbody fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><tr fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><td fr-original-style="margin: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px;" style="margin: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; min-width: 5px; box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); user-select: text;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" fr-original-style="border-collapse: collapse;" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; empty-cells: show; max-width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;" width="100%"><tbody fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><tr fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><td align="left" fr-original-style="margin: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(59, 63, 68); font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; word-break: break-word; text-align: left;" style="margin: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(59, 63, 68); font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; word-break: break-word; text-align: left; min-width: 5px; box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); user-select: text;">In the roaring 1920s, developers envisioned an exclusive enclave called Rehoboth Heights perched on a &quot;pine-wooded, fertile plateau&quot; between Silver Lake and Philadelphia and Christian Streets. The centerpiece? A grand country club that converted the old Thompson homestead into its first clubhouse. Discover how this South Rehoboth neighborhood promised sweeping ocean views from elevations of 25-35 feet (practically mountainous by beach standards!) and attracted well-heeled golfers to its scenic course.&nbsp; Perfect for history buffs, golf enthusiasts, and South Rehoboth and Country Estates residents curious about their neighborhood&#39;s hidden history!</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>

From Farmland to Fairways:  The Lost Story of South Rehoboth

For Unto Us A Town is BornEnjoy hot mulled cider and cookies gathered around the museum&rsquo;s miniature display of railroad era Rehoboth Avenue.&nbsp;Paul Lovett will use the diorama as a backdrop for a presentation on how the town grew after its establishment by the Methodist Episcopalians as a &ldquo;camp meeting location and Christian seaside resort&rdquo;. &nbsp;It will be a chronological story about the founding of the town, a story about saints and sinners; about fires and storms; about working families from rural Delaware, and tycoon wealthy families from big cities. &nbsp;How did they shape what Rehoboth has become today. &nbsp;Where did they live in the early 1900s, and what is there today.

For Unto Us A Town is Born

Join the Rehoboth Beach Museum and Rehoboth Beach Main Street for a magical evening excursion to Longwood Gardens&#39; spectacular Christmas light display! Timing of this trip allows for viewing of the lights in the setting sun (between 4p-5p) before the cold sets in. Details:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Date: Wednesday, December 10th</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Departure: 11:00 AM from Rehoboth Beach Museum parking lot</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Garden Entry: 2:00 PM (3 hours to explore the grounds)</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Sunset: 4:30 pm</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Garden Departure: 5:00 PM</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Return to Rehoboth: 7:30 PM</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Price:&nbsp;$100 per person (includes round-trip motor coach transportation and Longwood Gardens admission)</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Limited seating: Only 58 spots available</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Please let us know in advance if you need any accommodations so that we can coordinate with the coach and the gardens. Thank you</li></ul>Proceeds from this trip benefit both the Rehoboth Beach Museum and Rehoboth Beach Main Street, two vital non-profit organizations serving our community.

Longwood Gardens Bus Trip

Join the First State Paranormal Investigators for a spine-tingling evening as they conduct a professional paranormal investigation at the historic Rehoboth Beach Museum. On October 24th at 6:00 PM, experience the museum like never before as our team of experienced investigators explores the building&#39;s potential supernatural activity using state-of-the-art equipment and proven techniques. The Rehoboth Beach Museum, with its rich local history and collection of artifacts spanning generations, provides the perfect setting for this unique after-hours investigation. The team will be selecting specific artifacts from our collection to investigate, exploring whether these historical objects carry more than just memories from the past. Participants will witness firsthand how paranormal investigators work, learn about the tools and methods used to detect unexplained phenomena, and discover the fascinating stories and legends surrounding this beloved community landmark. Whether you&#39;re a skeptic or a believer, this investigation promises an unforgettable evening that combines local history with the mysteries of the unknown. Space is limited to ensure an intimate and authentic experience.

Haunted Histories: Investigating the Museum Collections

Become a Member. Keep the Story Alive. Dive into Rehoboth Beach history with unlimited museum access, exclusive events, and special discounts. Your membership preserves the photos, artifacts, and stories that make our coastal community unforgettable&mdash;from Methodist camp meetings to boardwalk memories. Join us in celebrating the past and protecting the future of Rehoboth Beach. Because every great beach town has a story worth saving.

Become a Member. Keep the Story Alive.Dive into Rehoboth Beach history with unlimited museum access, exclusive events, and special discounts. Your membership preserves the photos, artifacts, and stories that make our coastal community unforgettable—from Methodist camp meetings to boardwalk memories.Join us in celebrating the past and protecting the future of Rehoboth Beach.Because every great beach town has a story worth saving.

Rehoboth Beach Historical Society Membership (Annual)

YOUR GIFT BRINGS HISTORY TO LIFE When you support the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society and Museum you are preserving the threads that weave our collective story together. &nbsp;Your generosity ensures that families can walk in the footsteps of those that led the way, students can touch the past through authentic artifacts, and communities can understand their roots and heritage.

YOUR GIFT BRINGS HISTORY TO LIFEWhen you support the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society and Museum you are preserving the threads that weave our collective story together. Your generosity ensures that families can walk in the footsteps of those that led the way, students can touch the past through authentic artifacts, and communities can understand their roots and heritage.

Rehoboth Beach Historical Society Memberships (monthly)

Join the First State Paranormal Investigators for a spine-tingling evening as they conduct a professional paranormal investigation at the historic Rehoboth Beach Museum. Experience the museum like never before as our team of experienced investigators explores the building&#39;s potential supernatural activity using state-of-the-art equipment and proven techniques. The Rehoboth Beach Museum, with its rich local history and collection of artifacts spanning generations, provides the perfect setting for this unique after-hours investigation. The team will be selecting specific artifacts from our collection to investigate, exploring whether these historical objects carry more than just memories from the past. Participants will witness firsthand how paranormal investigators work, learn about the tools and methods used to detect unexplained phenomena, and discover the fascinating stories and legends surrounding this beloved community landmark. Whether you&#39;re a skeptic or a believer, this investigation promises an unforgettable evening that combines local history with the mysteries of the unknown. Space is limited to ensure an intimate and authentic experience. **Proceeds from Rehoboth Beach Museum events support event costs and museum operations. Refund requests must be submitted at least 72 hours before the event start time. Requests received within 72 hours of the event cannot be honored; the purchase will be considered a donation to the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society &amp; Museum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. If the museum cancels an event, a full refund will be issued to all ticket holders. Service fees are nonrefundable.**

Rehoboth Beach Historical Society

Rehoboth Beach Historical Society

Rehoboth Beach Historical Society

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Events

Haunted Histories

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More ways to support us

Rehoboth Beach Historical Society Membership (Annual)

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Rehoboth Beach Historical Society Memberships (monthly)

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Rehoboth Beach Historical Society

Events

Events

Haunted Histories

Get your tickets

More ways to support us

Rehoboth Beach Historical Society Membership (Annual)

View membership

Donate to the Museum

Donate today

Rehoboth Beach Historical Society Memberships (monthly)

View membership

Powered by

Rehoboth Beach Historical Society