Delaware during World War II is topic of Rehoboth Beach Museum Program Aug. 18
The story of how the Delaware coast was a major defense focal point in World War II immediately after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 will be featured at the Rehoboth Beach Museum at 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 18, when local historian and author Michael Morgan speaks at the museum's summer lecture series. Morgan is the author of a just-released book, "World War II and the Delaware Coast." The talk will discuss how Fort Miles and the concrete towers were built, and the experiences of Delaware coastal residents who endured strict rationing, participated in air-raid drills and scrap drives, and learned how to dim lights to prevent them shining out to sea.
Museum Director Nancy Alexander said, "Michael is always one of the Rehoboth Museum's most interesting speakers. His lively storytelling style has made his writings and lectures very popular." A retired schoolteacher and historian, Morgan has been writing freelance newspaper articles on the history of coastal Delaware for over three decades. He is the author of the Delaware Diary, which appears weekly in the Delaware Coast Press and the Sussex Journal, which is a weekly feature of the Wave. Morgan has also published articles in America's Civil War, the Baltimore Sun, Chesapeake Bay magazine, the Civil War Times, Maryland magazine, World War II magazine and other national publications.
Morgan's "Lore of Delmarva" weekly radio commentary on historical topics relating to Maryland and Delaware is broadcast by station WGMD 92.7. He is also the author of "Pirates and Patriots: Tales of the Delaware Coast," "Rehoboth Beach: A History of Surf and Sand," "Bethany Beach: A Brief History," "Ocean City: Going Down the Ocean," "Civil War Delaware," "Hidden History of Lewes," and "Delmarva's Patty Cannon: The Devil on the Nanticoke."
The Rehoboth Museum is at 511 Rehoboth Ave., next to the Visitors Center. A $5 donation is suggested. Reservations are required since space is limited. To save a seat, call 302-227-7310.
