The Rehoboth Art League is embarking upon an ambitious goal to raise $5,000 over the course of 24 hours to support the preservation of our historic Peter Marsh Homestead.

 

RAL's participation in Delaware's Do More 24, a statewide day of giving to raise awareness about the important work of nonprofits, supports the critical role that our organization has played in local arts and history.

 

Originally built in 1743 by Peter Marsh, the historic Homestead remains the central part of our campus and is the oldest of five buildings that we maintain. The house boasts a rich history, having served tenant farmer families for more than two centuries, then, in the 1930s becoming home to the founder of the Rehoboth Art League, Louise Corkran. Through donations from the community and occasional grant funds to support specific work on the property, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Homestead is maintained by our nonprofit and made accessible to the public at no cost to enable a better understanding of local history and the development of the regional arts scene. A devoted corps of volunteers, the league’s Homestead Docents, offer their time, energy, and knowledge to staff the building annually, and often provide the first face of our organization to new visitors. 

 

The Peter Marsh Homestead remains one of just a few buildings of its age in Sussex County that are still standing on its original foundation and we maintain its character through the exhibition of artifacts and antiques in addition to exciting rotating exhibitions of historic and contemporary artwork. The upkeep of this building, now nearly 280 years old, is enormous. From heating and cooling to security and operations infrastructure, the Rehoboth Art League is responsible for raising funds each year to care for this treasured structure. Help support the preservation of the Peter Mash Homestead through a donation to our campaign for Do More 24, starting at 6pm on March 3. Remember, you have 24 hours to give! Set a reminder for yourself and help us spread the word.

The Rehoboth Art League was formed in 1938 in Henlopen Acres, Delaware, as a place where artists could teach, gather, and exhibit their work. Property owners Louise Corkran and Colonel Wilbur Corkran generously donated their property to provide a home to this organization, and our organization has gone on to host such artistic legends as Jack Lewis, Howard Schroeder, Orville Peets, and Mary Mullineux. We now boast more than 1,200 members who live across the country, offer more than 150 classes each year, annually hold more than 20 solo and group exhibitions of artwork, and produce special events such as our Salons, the Annual Cottage Tour, and our Outdoor Fine Art Show—all of which bring 25,000 people to our wooded, 3.5+ acre campus each year. And off campus, we reach underserved communities across Southern Delaware with exhibitions and arts education opportunities to further expand our reach.