Museum on Eastern Shore plans to reopen after fundraising campaign

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After announcing on Facebook that its last day in operation would be March 20, 2026, Pocomoke City’s Delmarva Discovery Museum is now rallying community support in an effort to remain open.

In more recent Facebook post, the museum said it plans to reopen for Memorial Day weekend. The post said about $60,000 had been raised toward a goal of $100,000.

Here’s what to know about the fundraising effort and how to contribute, plus more about the museum itself.

How to help

To help the Delmarva Discover Museum in its fundraising drive, visit the museum’s page at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore at https://tinyurl.com/DDMFund, or send a check directly to the museum at 2 Market St., Pocomoke City, 21851.

What the museum is saying about community support

As the Delmarva Discovery Museum shared details about its fundraising drive, it also thanked community members for their support:

“We are thrilled with the overwhelming response we have received since Friday afternoon. Recent fundraising efforts have seen an outpouring of love and support from the community, with donations still being accepted through the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore’s (CFES) online fundraiser.

“This immediate funding being raised through CFES is critical to stabilizing the Museum in the short term. These funds will allow us to address urgent financial obligations, retain core staff, and safely reopen our doors to the community.

“At the same time, we recognize that just reopening is not enough. We must also ensure long-term sustainability. To that end, it is imperative that funds continue to keep coming. Questions have been raised regarding our sustainability. Thank you for asking this — it’s an important question, and one we take very seriously.”

What changes does the museum hope to implement?

Also on Facebook, the museum shared what it hopes to do if it manages to stay open:

“Moving forward, we are committed to making meaningful changes, including:

• Strengthening financial oversight and transparency;
• Reevaluating our business model and operational structure;
• Expanding and diversifying revenue streams;
• Building a stronger, more engaged board and leadership support system;
• Developing a clear, realistic sustainability plan.

“We will be actively working with our Board and community partners to implement these changes, and we are committed to sharing our progress openly.”

What you can find at the museum

The museum, a favorite destination for children’s groups, had been open on Market Street in downtown Pocomoke City since 2008. The museum held a 10th anniversary celebration in July of 2018.

Exhibits at the museum include a live touch pool, where visitors can come up and touch animals that are native to the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays, a hands-on beaver lodge and an interactive, life size steamship.

The museum’s most enticing attraction through the years was its two otters, Mac and Tuck. Visitors could watch the otters play throughout the museum’s glass tank and land area.

Reporting by Keith Demko, Salisbury Daily Times / USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.

This article was updated on March 27 with news of the planned reopening.