Showing Delaware's history one map at a time
Preston Schell's personal collection now centerpiece of exhibit at Rehoboth Beach Museum
The Rehoboth Beach Museum hosted an opening of its new exhibit May 21, which features 15 historic maps. Shown are Milton couple Rand and Ellen Lytton looking for Milton on this map. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTOS
Preston Schell loaned the 15 maps to the museum for the exhibit.
The Penn-Calvert Agreement Map from 1734 shows Cape Henlopen at the southern tip of Delaware. Cape is actually 19 miles to the north.
Museum Executive Director Heidi Nasstrom Evans briefly addresses the people in the room. 
A French map from 1834 documents the construction of the Delaware Breakwater in Lewes. This is a cross section of the breakwater.
Lewes hatter Joshua Fisher created the first chart of Delaware Bay. The map is known for the accurate level of detail provided. As detailed as the information was for Delaware Bay, it was the exact opposite for Rehoboth Bay.
Diana and Floyd Smith of Rehoboth Beach look at the Penn-Calvert agreement map.
The D.G. Beers/Pomeroy & Beers map of 1868. The red circle to the left is Milton. The red circle to the right is Lewes. Rehoboth City is labeled along the coast, but Rehoboth Beach as a community didn't exist yet.May 28, 2026
Event Date:
The Rehoboth Beach Museum hosted an opening of its new exhibit May 21, which features 15 historic maps. Shown are Milton couple Rand and Ellen Lytton looking for Milton on this map. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTOS
Preston Schell loaned the 15 maps to the museum for the exhibit.
The Penn-Calvert Agreement Map from 1734 shows Cape Henlopen at the southern tip of Delaware. Cape is actually 19 miles to the north.
Museum Executive Director Heidi Nasstrom Evans briefly addresses the people in the room.
A French map from 1834 documents the construction of the Delaware Breakwater in Lewes. This is a cross section of the breakwater.
Lewes hatter Joshua Fisher created the first chart of Delaware Bay. The map is known for the accurate level of detail provided. As detailed as the information was for Delaware Bay, it was the exact opposite for Rehoboth Bay.
Diana and Floyd Smith of Rehoboth Beach look at the Penn-Calvert agreement map.
The D.G. Beers/Pomeroy & Beers map of 1868. The red circle to the left is Milton. The red circle to the right is Lewes. Rehoboth City is labeled along the coast, but Rehoboth Beach as a community didn't exist yet.
Story Location
Rehoboth Beach Museum
511 Rehoboth Avenue
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
United States
A few dozen individuals interested in the history of Delaware attended the May 21 opening reception of the Rehoboth Beach Museum’s new exhibit.
"Emerging Delaware: Maps from the Preston Schell Collection, 1628-1868," captures the state’s history through 15 maps.
Schell said the maps on exhibit represent about half his collection. He collects all things Delaware, not just maps, he said.
He said he finds all the maps interesting, but pointed to a French map from 1834 as probably his favorite. That map documents the construction of the breakwater in Lewes for the first time, he said.
Museum hours through Oct. 30 are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday; closed Wednesdays.
The Rehoboth Beach Museum hosted an opening of its new exhibit May 21, which features 15 historic maps. Shown are Milton couple Rand and Ellen Lytton looking for Milton on this map. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTOS
Preston Schell loaned the 15 maps to the museum for the exhibit.
The Penn-Calvert Agreement Map from 1734 shows Cape Henlopen at the southern tip of Delaware. Cape is actually 19 miles to the north.
Museum Executive Director Heidi Nasstrom Evans briefly addresses the people in the room.
A French map from 1834 documents the construction of the Delaware Breakwater in Lewes. This is a cross section of the breakwater.
Lewes hatter Joshua Fisher created the first chart of Delaware Bay. The map is known for the accurate level of detail provided. As detailed as the information was for Delaware Bay, it was the exact opposite for Rehoboth Bay.
Diana and Floyd Smith of Rehoboth Beach look at the Penn-Calvert agreement map.
The D.G. Beers/Pomeroy & Beers map of 1868. The red circle to the left is Milton. The red circle to the right is Lewes. Rehoboth City is labeled along the coast, but Rehoboth Beach as a community didn't exist yet.Event Details :
Event Date:
Address:
Rehoboth Beach Museum
511 Rehoboth Avenue
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
United States
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