Worcester County History Week events announced

(Aug. 23, 2021) From Pocomoke to Ocean City, Berlin to Ocean Pines, there’s something happening at every corner of the region during Worcester County History Week, scheduled Oct. 10-16. 

History Week evolved from an annual tour of historic homes presented by the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum and begun in 2017.  

This year, along with the continuation of the home tour, events are planned at the Sturgis One Room Schoolhouse Museum and the Delmarva Discovery Museum in Pocomoke, the Julia A. Purnell Museum in Snow Hill, the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum in Berlin, the Ocean Pines Association, and the Worcester County Libraries and Worcester County Tourism. 

Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum Curator Christine Okerblom is among the organizers of the expanded event this year.  

“History week opens the door to our region's past, allowing residents and visitors alike to learn more about Worcester County's rich history,” she said. “Our local libraries, museums, and historic sites have come together to create Worcester County History Week. We hope that this weeklong event becomes a fall tradition for all who attend.” 

Among the scheduled events, Alec Staley, the local history librarian for Worcester County Libraries, will host educational sessions both in Snow Hill and Ocean Pines. 

"Worcester County Library is excited to join History Week, and to show our commitment to preserving local history,” he said. “The first libraries in Worcester County were the Friendly Library in Berlin, the Snow Hill Library, and the Pocomoke City Library, all operating in the early 1900s. These libraries were all independently operated by donations or through a subscription service.” 

Later, Staley said, Ocean City formed a small, independent library around 1950. 

“It was not until December 8, 1959, that Worcester County Library was formed into a publicly funded system that now includes the Snow Hill, Pocomoke City, Berlin, Ocean City, and the relatively new Ocean Pines library,” Staley said. “During History Week, we will be showing old photographs, documents, and newspaper clippings to celebrate Worcester County Library’s history, and our deep connection with the community." 

The full lineup of events, as of Aug. 23, are:  


● Delmarva Discovery Museum (2 Market Street, Pocomoke City) 

Ocean Pines Players Theater Company Brings History to Life 

Oct. 12, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. 

Cost: Regular admission (Free for members and those with a military ID; $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 children 4 and up) 

Experience an interactive play, featuring a historical Marylander and hosted by the Delmarva Discovery Museum. 

 

● Delmarva Discovery Museum 

Storytelling by Cheryl Doughty of the Pocomoke Indian Nation 

Oct. 13, 11 a.m. 

Cost: Regular admission (Free for members and those with a military ID; $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 children 4 and up) 

More info: www.delmarvadiscoverycenter.org.  

 

● Sturgis One Room Schoolhouse Museum (209 Willow Street, Pocomoke City) 

 Sturgis Celebrates Worcester History Week 

Oct. 10-16 

Cost: Donations accepted 

The Sturgis Museum will offer discounted annual memberships and tours. The Sturgis Museum, retaining its original integrity, speaks of life and education in a rural, African American community.  

More info: www.sturgisschoolmuseum.com 

 

● Julia A. Purnell Museum (208 West Market Street, Snow Hill) 

FiberFest! Traditional Arts and History Festival 

Oct. 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Cost: Free 

Discover local fiber and traditional arts, history, and culture at the annual festival held at the museum grounds in Snow Hill. The event will include food trucks, craft vendors, live music, craft demonstrations, animals, and more.  

More info: www.purnellmuseum.org  

 

● Calvin B. Taylor House Museum (208 North Main Street, Berlin) 

Homecoming Harvest 

Oct. 10, 2-5 p.m. 

Cost: Free 

A community outreach event celebrating past, present, and future generations of Berlin families. Genealogy records and census records for research will be available, and oral histories will be collected. The event will also include performances by local musical groups. 

 

● Calvin B. Taylor House Museum 

Ocean Pines Players present: Clara Barton 

Oct. 16, 2-4 p.m. 

Cost: Free for members, $10 for nonmembers 

The Ocean Pines Players will perform an original play about the life of Clara Barton, to coincide with a newly displayed artifact of a letter written by her. An exhibit by the NABB Research Center will be on display. 

More info: www.taylorhousemuseum.org

*The museum will also offer free admission to all Eastern Shore locals during History Week. 

 

● Ocean Pines Association (Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines) 

History Panel 

Oct. 10, 2-4 p.m. 

Cost: Free 

The History Panel will feature guest speakers with a long history in the Ocean Pines community. Attendees at the event, which will be free and open to the public, will hear first-hand accounts of the speakers’ experiences as Ocean Pines evolved from a small resort community to a thriving, year-round home and vacation destination. 

More info: www.oceanpines.org  

 

● Worcester County Libraries 

History of Libraries in Worcester County 

Oct. 13, 5 p.m. (Snow Hill Branch) and Oct. 14, 2 p.m. (Ocean Pines Branch) 

Cost: Free 

Some of the libraries in Worcester County date to the early 1900s. Join Local History Librarian Alec Staley in learning about the history of the local libraries. 

More info: www.worcesterlibrary.org 

 

● Worcester County Tourism  

Harbor Day at the Docks 

Oct. 16 

Cost: Free 

This waterfront festival celebrates the county’s rich history and maritime heritage, as well as the exciting sport fishing and commercial fishing industries. Event highlights will include seafood cooking demonstrations, crab-picking contests, fish-cleaning demonstrations, local angler displays, nautical artisans, educational exhibits, entertainment, food, and fun children’s activities. 

More info: www.visitmarylandscoast.org 

 

● Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum (813 South Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City) 

History of Our Surfmen 

Oct. 11-15, 1 p.m. 

Cost: Free 

The museum will take a close look at equipment that was used by the United States Life-Saving Service to conduct a rescue. This program will be held inside the museum's boat room. 

 

● Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum 

Annual Spirit Award 

The museum invites locals to submit nominations for the Spirit Award, honoring those who have helped preserve local history. Both individuals and organizations are eligible. Visit www.ocmuseum.org for nomination requirements. 

 

● Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum 

Lou Parsons III Memorial Photo Contest 

Lou Parsons was a beloved member of the Ocean City Museum Board for many years. In honor of Parsons, the museum will host a photo contest. Visit www.ocmuseum.org for requirements. Online entries will be accepted from Aug. 3 to Oct. 1. A winner in each category will be announced on Oct. 16, along with a grand prize winner. 

 

● Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum 

Historic House Tour 

Oct. 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

Cost: Tickets, $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers, are available at www.ocmuseum.org  

The Ocean City Museum Society will host its third annual Historic House Tour. Spend the day discovering the history of everyone’s favorite beach town! This event will allow guests to step into the past and tour some of Ocean City's oldest homes, churches, and establishments. At each location, an educator will be on-site to discuss the unique history of the building. 

 

● Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum 

Fall Photo Opportunity 

Oct. 11, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  

Cost: Free 

Stop by the museum for a unique, fall photo opportunity. Pose with a display of fall flowers, pumpkins, and hay located on the boardwalk in front of the museum’s shark display. A staff member will be onsite to take each family photo. 

 

● Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum 

Book Signing and Reading with Local Author 

Oct. 12 

Cost: Free admission; book purchases are an added charge 

Local author Maria Grosskettler will sign copies of her newest book, "Tracks." In addition to reading a selection from her book, she will share her experience of researching Berlin history. 


 
● Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum 

Preserving of the Past 

Oct. 13 

Cost: Free. Limited space is available, and registration is required. Visit www.ocmuseum.org. 

Join Assistant Curator Cara Downey and Local History Librarian Alec Staley in learning how to preserve old photographs and paper. 



● Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum 

Paranormal Event 

Oct. 15 

Cost: Tickets are available at www.ocmuseum.org. Space is limited. 

Follow along with the Dead of Night Paranormal team and experience the spirits that occupy the Ocean City Life-Saving Station during evening hours.  

 

● Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum 

History comes to Life 

Oct. 16, 1-4 p.m.  

Cost: Free 

Actors from Ocean Pines Players will portray figures from Ocean City's storied past. Meet Zippy Lewis, who made a living selling shipwreck remains. Ocean City's first doctor, from 1900, will share what it was like being the only physician in town. Last but not least, meet Laughing Sal, known as the Laughing Lady! 

More info: www.ocmuseum.org

*The museum will also offer free admission to all Eastern Shore locals during History Week. 

 

For more information on Worcester County History Week, visit www.facebook.com/WorcesterCountyHistoryWeek.