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.

08/25/2026

Just two more Wednesdays are remaining in our summer tour schedule: August 26 and September 2. The hours are 10AM-1PM. Don't miss out!

One of the beloved structures in the Historic Village is the replica of Cecile Long Steele's chicken house. In 1923, when Cecile was mistakenly delivered 500 biddies, instead of the 50 baby chicks she ordered to replace her egg layers, she placed the biddies inside a piano box until her husband, Wilmer, built the red poultry house. Cecile sold the surviving chicks at such a profit, that she began the U.S. broiler industry, making Sussex County the first and largest chicken producer anywhere. Wilmer had a respectable career as a member of the Lifesaving Service, chicken farmer, and eventually, a Delaware State Senator. As Cecile and Wilmer's wealth grew, they ordered a house from the Sears & Robuck catalog in which they resided for several years until they both perished in a boating accident off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland. Their Sears & Robuck house is now the lovely restaurant, Cafe on 26.

In addition to the chicken house, make sure to visit the other buildings in the Historic Village -- the Tunnell-West House, Ocean View's first freestanding post office, Hall's Store (a general store and the original name of the town before it was incorporated), and the Coastal Towns Museum (located at the southeast corner of John West Park).

Tours are free and docents are available to answer questions. Free parking is available at 32 West Ave, Ocean View, Delaware. We hope to see you!

08/24/2026

Mark your calendars for our upcoming Dine & Donate on September 9, 2026, at the Ocean View Brewing Company. Ocean View Brewing has graciously offered to donate 10% of all proceeds (dine-in and carryout) to the Historic Village. They will also be brewing a special batch of beer for the Historic Village! This is a great restaurant with delicious food and awesome, award-winning beer. Please join us!

08/18/2026

The Historic Village in Ocean View will be open on three more Wednesdays (through Sept 2) as part of our summer tour schedule. The hours are 10AM-1PM. Don't miss out!

One section of the Historic Village is the Coastal Towns Museum property that includes the Evans-West House (the actual museum), a pony barn (one of the oldest in Sussex County), a woodhouse (named the 'Woodhouseum' by the home's early inhabitants), and an outhouse. The Woodhouseum and outhouse were restored by a local Eagle Scout in 2019.

The Evans-West house, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017, was built in 1901 by James Evans and Mary West Evans. Carolyn Brunner and Dan McCann, descendants of the Evans-West family, donated the house and outbuildings to the Historic Village in Ocean View. In the spring, the daffodil garden, planted around 1904 next to the house, blooms in its original star shape; it is truly a glory to behold.

The grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Coastal Towns Museum took place in September 2022.

Stop in to see the museum, located at the southeast corner of John West Park. The museum showcases so much interesting history of our area coastal towns, including Ocean View, Millville, Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island.

While here, make sure to visit the other lovely buildings in the Historic Village -- Tunnell-West House, Ocean View's first freestanding post office, a replica of Cecile Steele's chicken house, and Hall's Store (a general store and the original name of the town before it was incorporated) -- all located on the west side of John West Park, accessible thru the park.

Tours are free and docents are available to answer questions. Free parking is available at 32 West Ave, Ocean View, Delaware.

08/11/2026

The Historic Village in Ocean View is open 10AM-1PM every Wednesday this summer thru September 2.

One of the buildings in the Village is the beautiful, blue Tunnell-West House. The Tunnell-West House was built around 1860 by John and Sarah Vaughn Tunnell of Muddy Neck. We assume they built it for a tenant farmer to use while taking care of the Tunnell’s adjoining property. In 1863, Mr. Tunnell passed away and the property passed on to his daughter and her husband, Eliza and George Handy West. George West was a ship’s captain who owned his own ship, The Chief. He and Eliza gave each of their eight children a property in the village of Ocean View. West Avenue is named after him. The park was donated to Ocean View by the family of their oldest child, John T. West.

The house is set up to represent a typical Civil War-era home, furnished in period furniture, most of which was donated by local families. The Historic Village in Ocean View saved the house from demolition in 2008 and restored the three rooms downstairs as a front parlor off Central Avenue, a keeping room/kitchen in the center, and a bedroom to the east.

Earlier this year, a lovely player piano was donated to the Historic Village by Judy and Steve Schwartz. The piano came with over 100 well-known scrolls/songs and is a delightful addition to the historic house.

Stop in to see Tunnell-West and the other lovely buildings in the Historic Village. Tours are free and docents are available to answer questions. Free parking is available around John West Park.

08/05/2026

There is one month left in our summer tour schedule at the Historic Village in Ocean View. We're open each Wednesday, 10AM to 1PM, until September 2. Admission is free and docents will be available to answer questions. Don't miss this experience. It's a real treat!

07/28/2026

The Historic Village in Ocean View is open 10AM-1PM every Wednesday this summer thru September 2.

One of the buildings in the Village is Ocean View's first freestanding post office, built in 1889 when Ocean View was incorporated as a town. The building, originally located on Central Avenue, was donated to the Historic Village by Shirley Reed, just before it was to be demolished.

The post office was a source of income for its postmistress, Annie West Betts, whose husband drowned in a shipwreck. For additional income, Annie operated a millinery (hat) shop in the rear of the post office. Each U.S. post office is required to fly the U.S. flag, which Annie would “run up” as soon as she sorted each day’s incoming mail.

Stop in to see the original post office and the other lovely buildings in the Historic Village. Tours are free and docents are available for questions.

07/25/2026

DELAWARE SNAPSHOT 📸
A Hero in His Day
Today we honor John M. Clayton, born in Dagsboro on July 24, 1796. Less known now, Clayton was a Yale-grad attorney who served in the Delaware Legislature before being elected to the U.S. Senate, then the youngest member in its history. Known as a powerful speaker and corruption fighter, he was appointed by President Zachary Taylor to be U.S. Secretary of State in 1849, a role in which he became known for negotiating a treaty that laid groundwork for building the Panama Canal. When state leaders had to pick luminaries for statues in the U.S. Capitol, they chose internationally known Clayton and Caesar Rodney. Clayton died in 1856.
– Compiled by robin brown, writer in residence
Delaware Public Archives
Delaware Economic Development Office Photograph Collection
Photo: Undated, hand-tinted
ID: 1306-000-000_0623p_

07/20/2026

The lovely Historic Village in Ocean View will be open this Wednesday, 10AM-1PM (and every Wednesday through September 2). Each of our buildings is unique, with a fascinating history that you will love.

* Learn about Ocean View's most famous resident (hint: it's all about the chickens 🐔🥚).

* Learn about the town's first name, Hall's Store, before it was incorporated, and visit its namesake general store.🥫🌾🌽

* Enjoy the beautiful, Civil War-era Tunnell-West house, originally owned by some of the town's earliest residents, and see the recently donated player piano. 🏡 🎹

* Visit Ocean View's first freestanding post office from 1889! 🇺🇸 📬

* Enjoy the Coastal Towns Museum ⛵, wood house 🪵, pony barn 🐎, and a three-holer outhouse🧻 (a real treat) 😃.

Tours are free and docents will be available to answer questions. Parking is available around John West Park, 33 West Ave, Ocean View. Come see us!

07/14/2026

Summer tours at the Historic Village in Ocean View are in full swing! Stop by this Wednesday between 10AM and 1PM to check out our lovely Village. Admission is free and docents will be available to answer questions.

While you're there, ask about becoming a member. For a small yearly fee, you will be supporting our dedicated mission to capture, display and educate the community on the history of our beloved Ocean View and surrounding coastal towns.

The Village is open every Wednesday thru September 2, during special events in the park (hosted by the town), and via private appointment.

Don't miss this experience. It's a real treat!

Address

39 Central Avenue
Ocean View, DE
19970

Telephone

(302) 593-8814

Website

https://hvov.org/

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