Rehoboth museum closes for expansion

The Rehoboth Beach Museum has closed for an expansion project that will double its usable space.

The museum plans to reopen in June after the expansion of the second floor at its facility at 511 Rehoboth Ave.

“With our plans to nearly double the museum’s usable space, we will be able to expand the museum’s permanent collection offerings, create more innovative special exhibitions, host more special lectures and musical events, have room for a research department, and make our facilities available for public and private events and celebrations,” said Nancy Alexander, the museum’s director

The second floor expansion will add more than 2,000 square feet of usable space to enhance museum operations. 

A 700-square-foot area for exhibit space, and another 700-square-foot “multi-purpose room,” will give the museum considerable flexibility in designing special shows and events and in engaging with the Rehoboth community on the city’s historic past. 

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A 300-square-foot library will allow the museum to expand its collection of historical materials, a 200-square-foot work room will be created for use of staff and volunteers alike, and more than 250 square feet will be added for artifact and document storage. The expansion includes finalizing work on an elevator.

“Because the noise, dust, and coming and going of workers and materials delivery during construction could adversely impact the existing first-floor exhibition, and frankly could result in less favorable experiences by visitors to the Museum during this period, the board and I decided it would be more efficient and desirable to just concentrate on the construction by temporarily closing our doors during this normal off-season,” said Alexander.

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Rehoboth Beach Historical Society President Paul Kuhns said they have been conducting fundraising efforts for the project for over 10 years, but made the decision to hold off on actual construction until the fundraising goals were nearly met. 

“We are still in need of some funds to finish the project,” said Kuhns. 

“The board is excited that this day has come and that in January, we can begin to turn our vision into a reality that will contribute to the life and spirit of Rehoboth Beach.”