150TH CELEBRATION OF FOUNDING OF REHOBOTH

History will come alive on July 7th at 4:30 p.m. when Reverend Robert W. Todd, the
founder of Rehoboth Beach, will appear at the City’s Historical Museum. Rev. Todd will tell the
dramatic story of Rehoboth’s beginning as a Methodist Episcopal Camp Meeting venue in 1873
and how the town grew and became a more secular resort for all, even sinners, in eight short
years.
Rehoboth native Roger Truitt, who has portrayed Rev. Todd for the Historical Society for
the past nine years, will appear in period costume to welcome “campers” in the audience to the
first camp meeting. He also will explain the early development of Rehoboth as streets, a hotel
and a boardwalk were constructed by the Camp Meeting Association and the railroad came to
town in 1878.
A special feature of the July 9 program will be presentations by the Reverend Charles E.
Covington, who pastored Epworth United Methodist Church on Baltimore Avenue from 1961-
1976. Rev. Covington will discuss the last anniversary celebration of Rehoboth’s founding in the
summer of 1968 when a tabernacle was constructed on Rehoboth Avenue and church services
and other events were held there. He will also relate the interesting building program at
Epworth, as well as his involvement with the Miss Delaware pageants, during that era.
Since seating is limited at the Museum, reservations should be made at the museum