Golden Age of Rehoboth Railroad Era project unveiling set Jan. 24 

The Rehoboth Beach Public Library will host the official unveiling of Paul Lovett's Golden Age of Rehoboth Beach, The Railroad Era diorama, a historically accurate representation of what it would have been like to walk down a section of Rehoboth Avenue in 1910.

The event is set for 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 24. Coffee and dessert will be available, and there is no admission fee. Donations may be made at the door, which will go to support the creation of the diorama. Space is limited; to make a reservation, call the library at 302-227-8044. 

The diorama, a work in progress, currently includes several models of buildings that existed on each side of Rehoboth Avenue just east of First Street.

Every year of his life, Lovett has spent time in Rehoboth along the canal, just across from the Rehoboth Beach Museum. Over the past year, he has immersed himself in the history of Rehoboth during the late 1800s and early 1900s, also known as the Railroad Era. He has studied all the reference sources he can discover on the subject and has interviewed many local folks with ties back to that time in history. Lovett’s vision is to create a dioramic display of Rehoboth Avenue extending from the end of the fishing pier off Horn’s Pavilion and back across the canal to the railroad switching yard.



Attendees will have the opportunity to see and examine the diorama before Lovett’s presentation.

The public is invited to learn about a rarely discussed, yet deeply fascinating segment of Rehoboth Beach history. Those interested can keep track of Lovett’s progress by visiting his Facebook page, Golden Age of Rehoboth Beach, The Railroad Era.

The Rehoboth Beach Public Library is at 226 Rehoboth Ave.