Francis Riley’s 90th birthday celebrated at Rehoboth Museum

Francis Riley, a member of one of the first families in Rehoboth Beach, was honored at the Rehoboth Beach Museum on his 90th birthday Nov. 12. Riley sat for a videotaped oral history of his days in Rehoboth.

Riley was from Bethlehem, Pa., and would come to Rehoboth Beach to spend time with his family at his uncle’s home. Riley remembers looking out a window in his uncle’s house and seeing the Cape Henlopen lighthouse. He spent many days during the summer sailing and crabbing with his father. His strongest memory from World War II was seeing the Civil Air Patrol flying low over the ocean, and the blackout curtains on all of the homes.

The complete oral history video and transcript is available for viewing at the Rehoboth Museum by appointment.