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Rehoboth Beach Museum opened its newest exhibit of resort memorabilia last week with a June 12 reception attended by enthusiastic supporters and friends. The two main first-floor galleries are filled with original maps prepared by the camp meeting association that laid out the lots and streets for the resort in the late 1800s as well as many other items. There are antique sets of ice tongs used by John Lingo for delivering ice blocks to Rehoboth homes from the Rehoboth ice house that is now home to the museum. The lobby of the museum, which will be named in honor of the Lingo family members who have been major benefactors for the museum project, contains a Lingo family Bible with family entries dating back to 1848.
Rehoboth Historical Society President Emeritus Bill Bahan, who spearheaded the ice house restoration drive to create the museum, pointed out an old distortion mirror that hung in Playland before more contemporary novelties took over. It was donated by Sharon Rhoades of the Playland family. And a fire ax from the Thomas Tracy, which wrecked on the beach in Rehoboth, was donated by Meredith Pierce from her father’s recreation room – obviously a prize salvaged from the vessel.
“The miniature train engine we have is from the first kiddie’s train that Funland had,” said Bahan. “It was donated by the Fasnacht family. The good folks at Boulevard Ford restored it in their body shop.” Bahan said a sign from Funland, noting all rides for five cents, predates the 1962 March storm that destroyed much of Rehoboth’s Boardwalk and Funland. “Allen Fasnacht told me it had to come from before the storm because they’ve never had rides for a nickel and they took over after the storm,” said Bahan.
The new exhibit also includes an impressive collection of period bathing suits – men’s and women’s – as well as a display devoted to Rehoboth Beach Patrol and posters relating to Rehoboth’s status as a resort.
Future plans for the museum include restoring upstairs rooms for additional exhibit and office space.
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