February 19th, 2010
Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce…AboutMyBeaches has applied for membership…Delaware Beaches…Rehoboth Beach…
I have been meaning to apply for membership to the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce (RBDBCC) for some time. Thursday would be the day. And, I decided to go in person. I think its better when introducing yourself, a person sees you face to face.
A Chamber of Commerce is also referred to as a Board of Trade. It is a form of business network. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community.
The first chambers were founded in 1599 in France and Belgium. But, the world’s oldest English speaking Chamber of Commerce is in N.Y. and was established in 1768.
The RBDBCC and the Visitor Center are right at the entrance of Rehoboth Avenue, just before the roundabout (lighthouse circle), depending which way you are coming or going. In the complex you will find the Visitor Center and on the corner of the property there is a separate building that houses the actual administrative offices. Also in this complex you will find the Rehoboth Beach Museum.
I met with Carol Everhart and she is the President/CEO of the RBDBCC. The Chamber’s address is P.O. Box 216, 501 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Email address is carol@beach-fun.com, and the website is www.beach-fun-com. Tels. are 302-227-2233, Ext. 13 or 800-441-1329, Ext. 13. Fax # 302-227-8351.
Carol was very nice in explaing everything the Chamber has to offer. I was at the right place at the right time because they were running a special; it was even a better deal as they are getting ready to finish all their directories for the upcoming season, as well. So, take notice, because it could be a good opportunity to join now and get your business on the books.
I did not know in what category my blog would fall into, but I found out that, pending my approval, I will be under services and computers. The majority of the members are in this category also.
So, with my membership application in place and my check made for the year, I felt good. Afterall, we are all trying to connect in some way and I feel that AboutMyBeaches is doing its job by informing visitors and residents alike about our beaches’ events, activities, restaurants, what to cook for dinner, where to find that good summer corn or the best crabs. Really, how lucky are we to experience “Life Along the Coast”.
I said my farewell and off I went next door to the Rehoboth Beach Museum. I am just telling you a bit about it because I really would like to go back and spend more time.
The Rehoboth Beach Museum is really worth it. You will be able to go back in time and if you are a long time visitor or resident you will really relish the memories of times gone by. It is also the home of the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society.
The Museum is in the Old Ice House. In the late 19th century businesses and residents began to use ice to preserve the foods and to cool drinks. The ice was cut from Silver Lake. I wrote a post on Silver Lake on January 30th and if you would like to see it just go on the Archives on the left hand side of this blog and click on the month of January and scroll to the date. When the ice was cut from Silver Lake during winter then it was stored in small, wooden buildings that were heavily insulated with sawdust. The ice would be available from May through October. Later on it was shipped by railroad.
The Museum is just over a year old. Today, the Museum Docent was Pattie Gause and she was geat. She explained everything with detail. Pattie took me to see enlarged photographs of old Rehoboth Beach. They are available for purchase. Some showed the train coming through the middle of the Avenue. The Boardwalk looked so high.
The Rehoboth Museum is filled with memorabilia from residents and visitors. One section has old postcards and you can read what people are saying about Rehoboth Beach.
There is the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse Replica which was originally built for the Wyeth family who had a house in Rehoboth. N.C. Wyeth, famous illustrator and Andrew Wyeth, famous painter.
You will also find Commemorative Plates, milk bottles from the Rehoboth Dairy, and all kinds of information about Rehoboth Beach.
At present there is a Beach Pail Exhibit. There are so many, in all sizes, all catalogued and not one is made out of plastic. This is not a permanent exhibit, so if you are interested, take the opportunity and visit the museum soon.
The corner with the Bathing Suit Exhibit will make you realize that even in those times they were still looking for the right bathing suit. When it was all said and done the bathing suit was of about 10 yards of fabric; pantaloons, blouse, skirt made out of wool, black stockings, canvass slippers and the total weight was 30 lbs. No wonder they needed ropes to hang on to. Swimming was only permitted from 11 until 2 p.m.
The Museum is small but very well represented. Souvenirs are available for purchase.
For more information, please stop by and pay them a visit.
Nancy Alexander is the Director of the Museum.
In the Fall and Winter they are closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
The address is: 511 Rehoboth Ave., tel. is 302-227-7310 and the email is rbhistoricalsociety@verizon.net.
Note: Information on Chambers of Commerce was taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamber_of_Commerce. Information on the History of the Old Ice House was taken from a brochure at the Museum.
So, I guess I will talk to you later…..
Tags: Delaware Beaches, Dewey Beach, Museums, rehoboth beach, Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce
Gloria…thank you for the comments about the Chamber, Museum and of course our resort area…we look forward to having you as a member and adding you as yet another fan to our Coast Hugger Club….Carol
Thanks for commenting on the blog. Looking forward, as well.