Historic Rehoboth diorama talks kick off Jan. 27

The Rehoboth Beach Museum will begin its Golden Age of Rehoboth Beach Diorama Talk series at 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 27, with a discussion on “Railroad Era Buildings that Still Exist in Rehoboth.” Sessions will be led by historian Paul Lovett, who recently gifted his handcrafted townscape to the museum.

Lovett will present three more topical talks this spring, all starting at 10 a.m. “History of Rehoboth’s Train Terminal” is set for Monday, Feb. 10; “Lorenzo Dow Martin Farmhouse” will be Monday, March 5; and “Chronology of Rehoboth’s Railroad Tracks” will take place Monday, March 24.

Heidi Nasstrom Evans, museum executive director, said, “Paul Lovett’s diorama is so charming and clearly reflects its maker’s passion for the history of our wonderful town.” While the exhibit is now on permanent view and can be enjoyed whenever the museum is open, Nasstrom Evans said it is best experienced in his presence, when he personalizes the history to the interests of his audience.

Now located in the museum’s first-floor west gallery, the diorama is a miniature model of the city set back in time to circa 1910, the era when the railroad ran down Rehoboth Avenue. A train complete with smoke and whistle chugs down the main thoroughfare of the replica, as the real one did until upgrades to Delaware’s roadways led automobiles to eclipse train travel as the preferred way to get to the beach.

Starting at the Atlantic Ocean with Horn’s Pier and Pavilion, and the boardwalk merry-go-round (lost to the sea in the Storm of 1914), the diorama is populated with tiny people in historic dress enjoying many of the pastimes residents and visitors still appreciate today, such as taking a stroll in the fresh air or a dip in the ocean, enjoying stays at beach houses and hotels, attending church, and going out for meals, ice cream, shopping and more. The history of all these places is described and pictured on the diorama to help viewers visualize the ways in which people of the past enjoyed their time at the seashore.

Diorama tours are limited to 15 guests per talk; to reserve seats, go to rbmuseum.org or call the museum at 302-227-7310. During January and February, the museum is closed to the public but open for events. Starting in March, it will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays.

The Rehoboth Beach Museum, operated by the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and showcasing for the public the history, culture and unique character of Rehoboth Beach.