REHOBOTH BEACH, DE- The Peter Marsh Homestead on the Rehoboth Art League campus will be closing for the season on Saturday, November 9th. The “Homestead” was built in 1743 by Peter Marsh in- the midst of 300-acres of farmland, which is now all of today’s Henlopen Acres and a major portion of Rehoboth Beach. The Homestead is the oldest building in Rehoboth on its original foundation. Using native black walnut, hand-made brick and cypress shingles, the colonial structure is the central two-story core of the Homestead, with two rooms on each floor plus an attic.
After more than a century and a succession of Marsh families living in it, the Homestead passed from the family in 1871. It was then purchased by William A. B. Dodd who neither him nor his family have ever lived on the property. It was leased to tenant farmers throughout the years and then eventually rented to Henry and Alice Frazer sometime between 1881 and 1884. The Frazer’s lived in the Homestead until 1916 and were the last known tenants before Colonel Wilbur and Louise Corkran purchased the home in 1929.
Colonel Corkran’s wife Louise, took great interest in the gardens and grounds of the Homestead which eventually became the home of the Rehoboth Art League in 1938. The Homestead, which is a place on the National Historic Register, will be re-open again in May 2020.
The RAL Homestead Docent Program is seeking enthusiastic docents to train for the 2020 Season. Meet new friends while learning about art and culture. Homestead Docents engage with visitors about the history of the Homestead. Volunteer hours are Monday through Saturday either 10:00 am-1:00 pm or 1:00 pm-4:00 pm and Sundays 12:00 pm-4:00 pm. The Homestead is open from May through October. For additional information, visit www.rehobothartleague.org or call 302.227.8408.
Make plans before November 9th to see From Substance to Silver works by Leyla Rzayeva currently on display in the Homestead. Save the date for the Rehoboth Art League Holiday Open House, Saturday, December 7th from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. The Open House is free and open to the public.
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The RAL Main Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and Sundays, Noon to 4:00 pm. The galleries are closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.