Unveiling Of New Historical Displays Planned In OC

OCEAN CITY – Visitors to City Hall on New Year’s Day will be able to view brand-new exhibits chronicling different historical aspects of the town when the Ocean City Mayor and City Council’s 12th Annual Open House is held from 1-3 p.m.

The Mayor and City Council’s Open House has become a community tradition. Each year offers a different theme. This year’s event will highlight "Ocean City’s Elected Officials: Past and Present," to recognize the elected officials that have served the municipality over the years.

All former mayors and City Council members are being invited to attend the Open House. Exhibits of local government events occurring over the years will be displayed. The public also will be able to view new exhibits that will line the hallways of City Hall.

With approval of the City Council, Mayor Rick Meehan approached Sue Hurley, curator of the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum, with the idea to extend the museum’s collection and turn the hallways of City Hall into a pictorial history of Ocean City. The first phase of this project will be unveiled on New Year’s Day at the Open House.

When the exhibit is completed, there will be a total of 12 history panels chronicling different aspects of Ocean City. One of the panels, "The People’s Choice," will tell the story of the 132-year history of Ocean City’s government by introducing the men who served as mayors and highlight the important accomplishments that occurred under their administrations.

Other panel subjects will include a brief history of the building now known as City Hall and an aerial look at the town’s growth that highlights the changes in the landscape. "The Boardwalk Experience" takes viewers on a Boardwalk stroll. "Sunfest: A Celebration," speaks of the origins of the town’s popular annual festival. There will also be a panel that invites visitors to the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum to experience more of the town’s history.

"The Open House offers the perfect opportunity for our citizens to visit City Hall to see the new history panels and to meet with the elected officials that have served over the years," Meehan said.

Family members of former elected officials who have since passed away also are invited to attend. If any citizen has memorabilia of government events that have occurred over the years and would like to share for the displays at the Open House, call the Mayor’s Office at 410-289-8931.

The Open House always offers storytelling sessions and this year will feature many of the officials that have served in past years. A complete schedule will be available the day of the event.

Outside the festively decorated City Hall, take an opportunity to tour Ocean City’s new mobile command center. The Ocean City Volunteer Fire Department will have equipment on display and also back by popular community demand will be the mounted police and canine units of the Ocean City Police Department.

Meehan and City Council members will be on hand to greet visitors to the Open House, where City Hall is beautifully decorated for the holiday season. Enjoy entertainment by Moonstruck Music and light refreshments while you view displays of Ocean City’s history and meet the citizens who have served the community.