Augustine Beach
Augustine Beach was named after Augustine Herman (c 1621-1686), an explorer and cartographer who mapped the region for Lord Cecil Calvert. Adam Diehl built the brick Augustine Beach Hotel in about 1814. In 1867, owner Simeon Lord expanded the hotel, adding a dance pavilion, dining room, and barroom. Augustine Beach became a popular destination for […]
Surf Safety Line
When at the beach, women of the early 20th century wore woolen bathing attire that covered most of their bodies. When wet, the suits were heavy, and it became difficult to leave the surf and get back onto the beach without help. The women of the Village Improvement Association (VIA) solved this by funding Surf […]
Paul Laurence Dunbar School
The Paul Laurence Dunbar School educated African American students in Laurel in grades 1-11 from 1921-1965. Constructed as part of philanthropist Pierre S. du Pont’s school rebuilding program, the Dunbar School replaced a small wood-framed school in West Laurel built in 1867. The new building was named for black poet Paul Laurence Dunbar and also […]
Elizabeth Smith-Cornish
Elizabeth Smith-Cornish (1937-2018) was a mother, educator, health professional, and community activist who advocated for safe and affordable housing for farm workers in the Bridgeville area. In the 1980s and 1990s, she surveyed households, met with state and local officials, and worked with community organizations to plan public meetings to address the need for improved […]
Site of Carlisle African Methodist Episcopal Church
In 1849, Caper and Leah Carlisle deeded a quarter-acre of land to Meeting House Trustees Jacob Allston, Peter Carlisle, James Collins, Perry Hawkins, and Nathaniel White. The Carlisles and the trustees were part of a free African American community located nearby at Cassons Corner. A wood-framed church was built on this site after 1849 and […]
Absalom Jones 1746-1818
Born near this place on a plantation known as “Cedar Town”, Jones moved to Philadelphia in 1762 and in 1784 purchased his freedom. He helped to establish the Free African Society in 1787. A leader of the independent African-American church movement, in 1792 he organized St. Thomas’ African Episcopal Church (Philadelphia) and in 1804 became […]
Milton Theatre
The Fox Theatre, built ca. 1914 and opened in 1919, was an Art Deco movie house featuring silent films and later sound pictures. During World War II, the theater was used for fundraising efforts and sold war bonds and stamps, and collected vinyl records to send to troops. The two-story building has also served as […]
Rehoboth Beach Public Library
The Rehoboth Beach Public Library was established by the Village Improvement Association (VIA) in 1912 in order to provide free access to books for the community. In its early years the library moved between VIA members’ homes and public spaces. In June 1942 the State Library Commission designated space for the library at City Hall, […]
Slaughter Neck United Methodist Church
SC-115: The history of this congregation can be traced to the early days of Methodism in this country. In 1777 a group of area residents gathered at the home of a “Mr. Shockley” to organize a local Methodist “Society.” While visiting in July 1779, Methodist pioneer Francis Asbury noted the rapid growth of the congregation […]
St. John the Baptist Church
NC-122: originally installed in 2002. In 1868, the original Old Village Presbyterian Church, which stood on this location, was purchased by Charles A. Murphey. The property was donated to the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, and the church was named St. Patrick’s. It became a mission of Church of Immaculate Conception in Elkton, Md. On the […]
