Rehoboth Avenue diorama ocean block complete
The final ocean block buildings for the 1910 Rehoboth Avenue diorama are now positioned on the display, adding to the 30 building models already positioned on the diorama that replicate those existing during Rehoboth’s railroad era. See the diorama at the Rehoboth Beach Museum, Dec. 4-6 or Dec. 11-13.
The largest of the new model buildings is the Rafferty Cottage. This beautiful residence was fully integrated into the Belhaven Hotel by 1915, five years after the year depicted by the diorama. By 1915, the beautifully steeped roof and attic room had been removed. The remaining square, flat-top structure still exists today as an apartment. Its frontage on Rehoboth Avenue, now windowless, can be seen over T-Shirt World, one building east of Go Fish.
The other three new structures positioned on the diorama are replicas of those owned by Edward S. Hill who, in 1893, founded Rehoboth’s first bath house on the beach at the head of Baltimore Avenue. Hill also had property on Rehoboth Avenue where he had a residence, a restaurant, and another bath house. Hill’s great-granddaughter Linda Walls sponsored all of the Hill models.
The diorama is a multi-year project to re-create Rehoboth Avenue during the railroad era. It will eventually extend back to the west side of the canal. The diorama will be on display at the Rehoboth Beach Museum. It can be seen by appointment under COVID-responsible visitation guidelines. To schedule an appointment, contact the museum at 302-227-7310.
