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 includes 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.
