Your Local Historical Societies are Worth Visiting
Historical Societies on Delmarva
Keywords: museum, history. Delmarva, historic buildings, artifacts, tours, exhibits, marine, railroad, schoolhouse
Historical societies are invaluable repositories of the collective heritage and identity of our communities. Dedicated to safeguarding historical artifacts, documents, and landmarks, these non-profit organizations play a crucial role in preserving the tapestry of our past.
When you visit your local historical society, you embark on a captivating journey into the heart of your community's history. You will be greeted by passionate individuals who are eager to share their knowledge and enthusiasm for the past. As you explore historic buildings and marvel at artifacts that have stood the test of time, you will gain a deeper appreciation for the roots of your community and the lives of those who came before you.
Your visit to the historical society is more than just a trip down memory lane; it is an investment in the future. Through engaging exhibits, programs, and educational initiatives, historical societies help to foster a sense of civic pride and an understanding of the importance of preserving our past.
Some local historical societies worth visiting are shown below:
DELAWARE
Bethel: Museum is located at 312 1st Street. Bethel-historical-society.weebly.com
Bridgeville: Museum is located at 102 Williams Street. See website hours. Bridgevillehistoricalsocietyde.org
Claymont: The Society holds a free monthly open house (2nd Sunday, 1:30pm-4pm) at the historic Robinson House (circa 1730). Claymonthistoricalsociety.org. Also check the Claymont Stone School (1805) organization website. Claymontstoneschool.org
Clayton: Clayton’s Historical Society works to bring events and historical education in the community. Check website for events. Claytonhistoricalsociety.org
Dover: Museum open the 1st Saturday of each month between 10am & 3pm. 323 S. State St., Dover. Friendsofolddover.org
Fenwick: Visit the Fenwick Island Light Station on 146th Street. See website for times: fenwickislandlighthouse.org
Georgetown: The Marvel Carriage Museum historical village features barns, a Methodist church (1890), a 1-room schoolhouse (1832), a blacksmith shop (1880); Delmarva telephone museum, a Sanger western auto museum and a Boyer model train museum. 510 S. Bedford Street. Georgetownhistorical.org
Harrington: Museum located at 108 Fleming St. Call 302-398-3698 or email info@ghhsociety.org
Hockessin: The local historical society maintains three buildings: Tweed’s Tavern (1790); Lamborn Library – Old Public School #29 (1893) and the Hockessin Museum. See Facebook page for upcoming events. Hockessinhistoricalsociety.org
Laurel: Visit the historical buildings: Cook House (1906); Hitchens Homestead (1878); and Laurel’s oldest home, Rosemont (1769). 215 Mechanic St. Laurelhistoricalsociety.org
Lewes: Lewes is rich in culture and history with several historical sites:
- The Lewes Historical Society offers tours of nine historic buildings from the 1700s & 1800s. 110 Shipcarpenter Street.
- The Fort Miles Museum, located in the Cape Henlopen Park, includes a World War II bunker. FortMilesMuseum.org.
- Zwaanendael Museum, built in commemoration of Delaware’s first European colony Swanendael, serves as a showcase for the Lewes area’s maritime, military and social history. 102 Kings Highway. History.delaware.gov/zwaanendael-museum/
Middletown: A walking tour is set up in 2 parts. 216 N. Broad Street. Middletowndehistory.com
Milford: Museum is located at 121 S. Walnut Street. Milfordmuseum.org
Milton: Museum is located at 210 Union Street. Historicmilton.org
Newark: The 1877 Pennsylvania Railroad Station is home to the museum. 429 South College Ave. NewarkHistoryde.com. Also tour The Pencader Heritage Museum, 2029 Sunset Lake Road, #2629. PencanderHeritage.org
New Castle: The New Castle Historical Society operates three historic museums, the 1690 Dutch House; the 1738 Amstel House and the 1892 Old Library Museum. All open to public. 30 Market Street. Newcastlehistory.org
Ocean View: Tour the Visitor and Education Center, the 1869 Tunnell-West House, the 1889 Old Post Office and the 1923 Chicken House replica. 39 Central Avenue. HVOV.org
Odessa: Explore Odessa’s historic houses, grounds, gardens and museum collection. 201 Main Street. Historicodessa.org
Rehoboth Beach: The museum offers various walking tours, children’s programs and lectures. 511 Rehoboth Avenue. rehobothbeachmuseum.org
Seaford: The museum is located at 203 High St. and the Ross Mansion, 23669 Ross Station Road. Seafordhistoricalsociety.com
Slaughter Beach: The Society is custodian of the beach’s rich heritage. For upcoming events see SBHistory.org
Smyrna: The 1790s Barracks is now home of the Smyrna Museum. Open every Saturday, 10am-1pm. 11 S. Main Street. DuckCreekHistoricalSociety.org
Wilmington: The Delaware History Museum includes the Jane and Littleton Mitchell center for African American Heritage. 504 N. Market St. and Book a Tour at the Read House & Gardens. DEHistory.org. Also check out The Friends of Furness Railroad District whom creates projects and events to celebrate the Delaware’s railroad past. FriendsofFurness.org
MARYLAND
Cambridge: The Cambridge Historical Society celebrates the area’s folklore, traditions, heritage, ancestry and more. The museum and gardens campus features artifacts, exhibits and the Meredith House (c 1760). 1003 Greenway Drive. dorchesterhistory.org. Also, see the Spocott Windmill & Village featuring a reconstruction of a windmill built in 1852 and other buildings that have been moved to the site, creating a small village of the 19th Century. 1609 Hudson Road. Spocottwindmill.org
Centreville: The Queen Anne’s historical society maintains and preserves historic structures in the area. For example, the Wright’s Chance (1744) plantation house and the Tucker House (c 1794). Email jmoorePRS2007@gmail.com to schedule a tour. qahistoricalsociety.org
Chestertown: Chestertown’s walking tour has been a staple for Historic Downtown Chestertown visitors since it first appeared in 1985. The Society’s online version is produced with permission of the Town. 301 High Street. kentcountyhistory.org
Church Creek: Home of The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad and Visitor Center featuring engaging, enlightening multimedia exhibits about her life. 4068 Golden Hill Road. Visitdorchester.org/harriet-tubman-ugrr-visitor-center/
Easton: The Talbot Historical Society campus includes The Mary Jenkins House (before 1783), The James Neall House (ca 1804), The Hill Research Center, and The Gardens. These buildings house museum exhibits, collections, and events. 25 & 30 S. Washington Street. www.Talbothistory.org
Federalsburg: The museum hosts multiple open houses at Exeter (1800s) and Candlelight Tours. 100 Covey-Williams Alley. FederalsburgHistoricalSociety.com
Greensboro: View artifacts at the museum on 104 East Sunset Ave. See Facebook pages for hours.
Mardela Springs: Adkins Historical & Museum Complex offers tours to the Brattan Taylor Calloway Store (1850), Young’s Purchase farm house (1820-1830), Gravenor-English school house (1870), a cannery (1903), Odd Fellows Lodge Hall, Livery Stable (1905) and more! 106 Bratten Street. To tour email adkinshistorical@gmail.com. Adkinshistorical.com. In addition to the area, visit the Barren Creek Village (museum, spring house & Presbyterian Church) on 413 Main Street. Westsidehistorical.com/who-we-are
Oxford: Museum located on 101 S. Morris St. Oxfordmuseummdorg
Preston: The Noble House (1833) is the home of the Preston Historical Society. 167 Main St., Preston. PrestonHistoricalSociety.com. Also, visit Linchester Mill, one of the last water-powered mills on the Eastern Shore. The campus also includes the Hog Island School, the Miller and Assistant’s Miller’s house and a nature & braille trail. 3390 Linchester Mill Road. 410-673-1910.
Ridgely: The Ridgely Historical Society preserves the 1900s Ridgely Train Station. 4 West 1st Street. Ridgelyhistoricalsociety.com
Salisbury: Salisbury is home of the Charles H. Chipman Cultural Center (African-American), 325 Broad Street. Chipmancenter.org and The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, 909 S. Shumaker Drive. www.wardmuseum.org
Sharptown: Historical Commission Museum, 408 Main Street. SharptownHistorical@gmail.com
Snow Hill: Collection of historic 19th century buildings and artisans' studios surrounding the Nassawango Iron. 3816 Old Furnace Road. Furnacetown.org
St. Michaels: Museum is filled with collections and exhibits. Located at 201 E. Chestnut Street. Tours available. Visit: St. Michaels Museum at St. Mary's Square (stmichaelsmuseum.org)
Stevensville: The Kent Island Heritage Society identifies and preserve the heritage of Kent Island. Historic buildings include: The Cray House (1809), the Old Stevensville Post Office (1800s), the Stevensville Bank (1900), Train Depot & Caboose (1897), James E. Kirwan House and the General Store. Downtown Stevensville. Kentislandheritagesociety.org
Wye Mills: Home of the Old Wye Mill which has been grinding on Maryland’s Eastern Shore for well over 300 years. 900 Wye Mills Rd. www.Oldwyemill.org
VIRGINIA
Cape Charles: The Cape Charles Museum is located inside a historic power plant with photos and artifacts. The museum’s campus has a collection of rail cars, a locomotive, jetty house, pilot house of Capt. Edward Richardson RR barge. 814 Randolph Ave. www.capecharlesmuseum.org. Also visit the Rosenwald School, an African American school (1928), on 1200 Old Cape Charles Road. capecharlesrosenwaldschool@gmail.com and facebook.com/CCRSRI
Chincoteague Island: The museum features the Island’s history, Assateague Lighthouse lens, decoy carver’s workshop and field trips. 7125 Maddox Boulevard. Chincoteaguemuseum.org
Onancock: The Ker Place, a historic 1799 2-story, Federal-style dwelling, is the headquarters of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Historical Society. 69 Market Street. Also, visit The Eastern Shore Watermen’s Museum and Research Museum located at the Historic Onancock School on 6 College Avenue. Facebook.com/ESVAWatermensMuseum/
Parksley: The Eastern Shore Railway Museum exhibits historic rail cars and equipment and a restored train station with railroad memorabilia from the lines that operated on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Located on Dunne Avenue. See their Facebook page for events.
Tangier Island: Learn the island’s history by visiting the museum at 16215 Main Ridge Road. Take the ferry from Crisfield or Onancock, VA. Tangierisland-va.com/history
Wallops Island: Since its beginnings, the Wallops Island Space Center has launched more than 16,000 rockets carrying science, experiments, technology, and satellites. Explore the history through engaging exhibits, videos, events and, programs. Rt. 175 near Chincoteague. Free admission. See the website for visiting hours. nasa.gov/wallops/visitor-center/
