Historic Village in Ocean View

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Ocean View, DE
Historic Village in Ocean View

To become a member, go to: hvov.org/membership The Ocean View Historical Society was incorporated as a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization in January 2008.

Since then, the Society’s membership has grown to over two hundred members and volunteers dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history of Ocean View, Delaware. During the first eight years, Ocean View Historical Society members envisioned and built a Historic Village on the property at 39 Central Avenue in Ocean View, adjacent to the town's wonderful John West Park. The Historic Village in

cludes the Civil War-era Tunnell-West house, furnished with period furniture and artifacts, an 1800’s outhouse, the first Ocean View Post Office built in 1889, and an exact replica of Cecile Steele’s first chicken house containing many local poultry artifacts. The Ocean View Historical Society was thrilled to expand our mission by acquiring the Evans-West House at 40 West Avenue in 2017, thanks to the generosity of the grandchild (Carolyn Brunner) and great grand-child (Dan McCann) of the Evans family. The house was transformed to the Coastal Towns Museum, representing the coastal towns of Ocean View, Millville, Bethany, South Bethany, and Fenwick Island. The museum encompasses our mission of incorporating the stories of the towns of southeastern Sussex County, known as Baltimore Hundred, into our message. The museum is the first of its kind in the coastal area to represent the seafarers, farmers, teachers, and entrepreneurs in Baltimore Hundred, whose families worked in this beautiful area for centuries. The museum was celebrated in September 2022 with a grand opening and ribbon -cutting ceremony. The grounds on which the museum resides include one of the oldest barns in SE Sussex County, a woodhouse (named the Woodhouseum) and a three-seater outhouse. In 2018, the Hall's Store Visitors and Education Center was built, a space for lectures, social events, meetings and educational lessons. The front of the building, finished in 2020, features a beautiful general store similar to those of the 1800s. The historical significance of this building cannot be overstated. The Town of Ocean View was founded by William S. Hall who opened a general store in 1820 in the White's Creak Area of Ocean View. Soon after, a village sprung up around the store and, thus, the area became known as Hall’s Store. After a long awaited delay due to the COVID pandemic, we were finally able to celebrate in 2021 with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting celebration. Several ancestors of William S. Hall, the founder of Hall's Store, were part of this exciting, special event. Hall's Store Visitors and Education Center is located next to Cecile Steele's replica chicken house, and is a wonderful addition to the Historic Village. The Ocean View Historical Society is grateful to those who have supported and contributed to these projects, and to those who continue their support to this day.

06/01/2026

Drop in this Wednesday for a tour of the Historic Village in Ocean View! You will love the Civil War-era Tunnell West house, replica of Cecile Steele's chicken house, Ocean View's first freestanding post office, Hall's Store (general store), Coastal Towns Museum, woodhouse, three-holer outhouse (what a thrill 😄), and and one of the oldest pony barns in Sussex County (you can chat with the contractor completing some restoration work on the barn). Hope to see you!

05/26/2026

Our Summer hours for 2026 officially start this Wednesday, May 27. Come see us!

05/21/2026

Did you know that there was once a very popular restaurant in the 1960-70s called Topside in Ocean View? The restaurant, owned by Bill Murray, was located at Murray's Yacht Basin, accessible from Cedar Neck Road or via boat. Topside was a sandwich shop first, then a very successful restaurant. It felt like a special night when you dined there. Murray’s Dive Shop was on the bottom level.

The restaurant was bought by Jerry Exten in 1980 and, after a destructive fire, was rebuilt close by, but not in the same location nor in the same name. Sadly, it no longer exists today. The marina was eventually operated by Bob Littleton/Dale Ball and called Ocean View Boat Company North. It is currently known as the Bethany Marina / Townhomes.

The Historic Village in Ocean View is seeking additional members to support our mission of maintaining, documenting and highlighting local history. The annual fee is only $35 for individuals, $60 for families, or $25 for students. You can submit your membership online at https://historicvillageinoceanview.wildapricot.org/membership or send payment via the USPS to the Historic Village in Ocean View, PO Box 576, Ocean View, DE 19970. Please include your contact information.

THANK YOU!

05/16/2026

This sweet little girl, the future president of the Historic Village in Ocean View, turns 80 years young today. Happy birthday, Barbara Slavin!

05/10/2026

Friendly reminder! Please join us on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 @ 7:00PM as Barbara Slavin (President, Historic Village in Ocean View) discusses her grandfather's (James Evans) appointment to the Fenwick Island Lifesaving Station in the late 1800’s.

In about 1915, the Coast Guard took over the stations, giving the men a government pension. Whose local family members also served there and what happened to the building?

Come find out and learn about the dangers of traveling past Fenwick Island’s waterways. Many authentic artifacts will be on display, and refreshments will be served.

The event will be held in Hall's Store (in the Historic Village in Ocean View), directly adjacent to John West Park, 32 West Ave, Ocean View. Parking is available around the park. The event is free of charge and registration is not required. Donations will be graciously accepted.

05/01/2026

May Day, circa 1950. Lord Baltimore School. Ocean View, Delaware. To those who grew up locally, there are many familiar faces in this gem of a photo 💙

The Historic Village in Ocean View is seeking new members to support our mission of maintaining, documenting and highlighting local history. The annual fee is only $35 for individuals, $60 for families, or $25 for students. We are grateful for your consideration. You can submit your membership online at https://historicvillageinoceanview.wildapricot.org/membership or send payment via the USPS to the Historic Village in Ocean View, PO Box 576, Ocean View, DE 19970. Please include your contact information. THANK YOU!

04/29/2026

Join us on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 @ 7:00PM as Barbara Slavin (President, Historic Village in Ocean View) discusses her grandfather's (James Evans) appointment to the Fenwick Island Lifesaving Station in the late 1800’s.

In about 1915, the Coast Guard took over the stations, giving the men a government pension. Whose local family members also served there and what happened to the building?

Come find out and learn about the dangers of traveling past Fenwick Island’s waterways. Many authentic artifacts will be on display, and homemade cookies will be served with coffee.

The event will be held in Hall's Store (in the Historic Village in Ocean View), directly adjacent to John West Park, 32 West Ave, Ocean View. Parking is available around the park. The event is free of charge and registration is not required. Donations will be graciously accepted.

Note: Barbara's grandparents, James and wife Mary (Mame) Evans, built the house on West Ave (at the southeast corner of John West Park) that is now the Coastal Towns Museum. The Museum is part of the Historic Village in Ocean View.

04/28/2026

Hello, all! This is an important update regarding our summer tours and the pony barn....

The Historic Village in Ocean View (HVOV) has undertaken a project to restore the beautiful pony barn on the property of the Coastal Towns Museum (CTM) in Ocean View (see attached pics). The CTM and outbuildings (pony barn, woodhouse), originally built by James and Mary Evans (c. 1904), are part of the HVOV, as is the donated outhouse. (The HVOV also includes the Tunnell-West house, the first freestanding Ocean View Post Office, a replica of Cecile Steele's chicken house, and Hall's Store Visitor and Education Center, all located directly adjacent to John West Park.)

During the initial phase of restoring the pony barn, the contractor discovered additional, hidden structural problems which, for safety reasons, will restrict access to the barn by visitors until they are remedied. In the interim, the HVOV is planning to showcase the interior exhibits and ongoing renovations this summer, using an innovative portal approach, allowing visitors to view the barn's interior without physically entering the structural footprint. The contractor will be available during our summer tour schedule (Wednesdays, 10AM - 1PM, May 27 - September 2) to answer questions about the process, while continuing to work on the barn.

The HVOV's ultimate goal is to transform this Sussex County landmark into a living exhibit. By allowing the community to watch us rebuild this legacy, we can take the opportunity to inform and educate on the original purpose of the barn and the necessary structural remediation that, when completed, will be another gem in the HVOV complex to be enjoyed by visitors in the future.

The HVOV is in need of financial support for our general operations and activities in the long-term. If you'd like to donate online, click on the following link, and select the 'greatest need' box: https://historicvillageinoceanview.wildapricot.org/donate

If you'd prefer to mail a check via the USPS, please use the following address: Historic Village in Ocean View, P.O. Box 576, Ocean View, Delaware 19970.

Thank you for your consideration, and we hope to see you this summer at the Village!

04/21/2026

Join us on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 @ 7:00PM as Barbara Slavin (President, Historic Village in Ocean View) discusses her grandfather's (James Evans) appointment to the Fenwick Island Lifesaving Station in the late 1800’s.

In about 1915, the Coast Guard took over the stations, giving the men a government pension. Whose local family members also served there and what happened to the building?

Come find out and learn about the dangers of traveling past Fenwick Island’s waterways. Many authentic artifacts will be on display, and homemade cookies will be served with coffee.

The event will be held in Hall's Store (in the Historic Village in Ocean View), directly adjacent to John West Park, 32 West Ave, Ocean View. Parking is available around the park. Registration is not required. The event is free of charge and donations will be graciously accepted.

Note: Barbara's grandparents, James and wife Mary (Mame) Evans, built the house on West Ave (at the southeast corner of John West Park) that is now the Coastal Towns Museum. The Museum is part of the Historic Village in Ocean View.

04/20/2026

We are pleased to announce the 2026 summer tour schedule for the Historic Village in Ocean View. The Village will be open every Wednesday this summer (10AM - 1PM), starting May 27 to September 2 (closed on July 1).

Here is a glimpse of what you will see in the Village:

* Civil War-era Tunnell-West House: A new feature this year is an antique player piano, recently donated to the Village; docents will demo the piano.
* Ocean View's first freestanding post office: Built in 1889 when Ocean View became incorporated as a town; originally located on Central Avenue and operated by Annie West Betts, who also ran a millinery shop in the rear of the building.
* Replica of Cecille Steele's chicken: Learn about our most famous Ocean View resident, who pioneered the broiler chicken industry.
* Hall's Store: Replica of general stores in the area when Hall's Store was in operation, built and operated by William S. Hall in 1820; Hall's Store was the original name of the town of Ocean View.
* Coastal Towns Museum - Featuring the history of coastal towns in the surrounding area, one of the oldest barns in Sussex Country, a woodhouse built in 1904 and restored by a local Eagle Scout, and a three-holer outhouse (what a treat!).

Tours are free and donations are graciously accepted. The Village is directly adjacent to John West Park, 32 West Ave, Ocean View, Delaware. Parking is available around the park. No need to register in advance for a tour. Hope to see you this summer!

Address

39 Central Avenue
Ocean View, DE
19970

Telephone

(302) 593-8814

Website

https://hvov.org/

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