Museums & Exhibits

DELAWARE AVIATION MUSEUM-Visit the Delaware Aviation Museum at Sussex County Airport. The museum features many WWII aviation artifacts, memorabilia and displays. Also home of the Jeffrey L. Ethell Memorial Aviation Library with over 3,000 aviation related books–the largest aviation library in the east. Several aircraft are also on display surrounding the museum. Hours: BY APPT. ONLY. See more at http://www.delawareaviationmuseum.org.

NUTTER MARVEL CARRIAGE MUSEUM – The Marvel Museum includes a collection of historic buildings and horse drawn carriages. The most priceless aspect of the museum to our citizens are the thousands of photographs, newspaper clippings, books and other memorabilia about Georgetown. Since 1992, the Georgetown Historical Society has meticulously worked to catalog the collection and in conjunction with the Town has sought grants to improve the buildings which house the collection including two barrel roof barns, a 100 year old church, a one room school house, a blacksmith shop, two old railroad freight buildings, a dining room with kitchen, storage buildings, and an office. The museum was the life’s love of Nutter D. Marvel, local entrepreneur, horseman and legislator, until his passing in 1988. It was gifted in 1992 to the Town of Georgetown by his grandchildren to preserve his legacy and as a depository of the Town’s history. See more at www.marvelmuseum.com.

TREASURES OF THE SEA EXHIBIT – In 1622, the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Atocha, and its sister ship, the Santa Margarita, were sailing from Havana, Cuba to Seville, Spain. Off the coast of Florida, the vessels encountered hurricane force winds and high waves which dashed the ships against a coral reef. Within minutes the ships went under and passengers, crew and cargo were lost. Knowing that the Atocha was overladen with a cargo of gold, silver ingots, emeralds and jewelry, the search for the vessel took on great importance to many treasure seekers. However, signs of the ship and its treasure eluded everyone for nearly 360 years. Through the efforts of treasure hunter Mel Fisher, the research of Dr. Eugene Lyons, and the backing of investor Melvin Joseph, Sr. of Georgetown, Delaware, along with others who believed in the search, over 1,000 silver bars, 180,000 silver coins and a number of bronze cannons have been recovered as part of the treasure of the Atocha. And what treasure it is! The magnificence of the gold, the splendor of the jewels and the excitement of the hunt can be enjoyed at the “Treasures of the Sea Exhibit”, located at Delaware Technical and Community College, Rt. 18, Georgetown, Delaware.

Theatre Arts

THE JOSHUA M. FREEMAN FOUNDATION/THE FREEMAN STAGE AT BAYSIDE- The Freeman Stage at Bayside strives to offer a wide range of diverse and quality arts experiences to people of all ages and backgrounds. The stage is open to the public and we welcome residents and visitors to spend time with us during our outdoor stage season which runs from Memorial Day through The Freeman Fall Festival in October. For more info, go to www.freemanstage.org.

POSSUM POINT PLAYERS- The Possum Point Players (PPP) was formed, “to contribute to the cultural diversity and vitality of Sussex County, Delaware, by bringing the experience of live theater for education and visitors alike.” Since 1973, this non-profit community theater group has achieved that goal annually and has earned a reputation for bringing to the stage productions that have been consistently well received by critics and the community.

One testament to the success of PPP was receiving the 2003 Delaware Technical and Community College Arts and Humanities Award. It is presented to honor “an individual, business or organization for outstanding accomplishments in artistic or humanitarian endeavors which have positively impacted our greater community.”

A true “community” theater group, our productions are staged by unpaid amateurs. The actors and directors, costumers and stage crew, ushers, ticket takers and bartenders, lighting designers and technicians, musicians, and other volunteers could be your family members, neighbors, your accountant, or the kid down the street. Among PPP participants have been a preacher, hospital administrator, public health nurse, medical technician, doctor, dentist, music therapist, painter, engineer, architect, plumber, pipe fitter, carpet layer, lawyer, phone company executive, newspaper reporter, social worker, counselor, accountant, public official, CEO, teacher, school administrator, and lots of students.

But a number of members came to the Players from professional theater and at least three went on to a professional career on stage or in television. Possum Point Players is the Sussex County equivalent of the Wilmington Drama League and the Kent County Theater Guild. The original Players consciously chose the Possums name to project a “grass roots” image, inviting participants and audience members from throughout the community. For more information, go to www.possumpointplayers.org.

For more information on area tourism, visit: Southern Delaware Tourism