There is a destination of discovery and wonder awaiting folks of all ages in Pocomoke City. It is the Delmarva Discovery Museum. Open year-round, this all-in-one museum makes for the perfect daytrip destination detour on the Eastern Shore.
The mission statement of the Delmarva Discovery Museum is “to foster an appreciation of Delmarva’s unique natural and cultural heritage through education, exploration, and enjoyment.” They do so by offering a host of onsite features, from hands-on exploration activities to informative exhibits of both the scientific and the historic kind, and even live animals. You really can spend an entire day immersing yourself in all that the Delmarva Discovery Museum provides.
Begin or end your visit with a stop in at the onsite Museum Gift Shop. It’s here they feature a broad range of unique gifts and merchandise for all ages and interests. Popular finds include themed clothing and other accessories, pens, magnets, stickers, activity sets, and plush toys—including their exclusive popular hoodie otters. The gift shop also houses various works by local artists, artisans, and authors. Treasured finds include handmade jewelry, books, notecards, prints, paintings, and even dishes and glassware. All in-house purchases go towards supporting the ongoing mission and active works of the Delmarva Discovery Museum.
As mentioned previously, the museum features a wide range of versatile self-guided exhibits. What’s even better is that you may explore at your own pace, spending more or less time accordingly based on your own unique preferences.
The Wally Gordon River Otters Exhibit on North American River Otters is undeniably one of the Museum’s star attractions. Currently home to two resident river otters, Mac and Tuck, guests of all ages just can’t get enough of watching their lively antics and ongoing banter. Stick around for their noontime feedings for an especially delightful experience.
In addition to in-house otters, visitors have the chance to explore various fish species as well as check out featured Reptile and Amphibian Exhibits onsite. From snakes to terrapins, frogs and toads, through these interactive and informative displays, you get to learn firsthand about many unique native species that inhabit the Delmarva region (and elsewhere) in a very resourceful way.
There are also several exhibits here that focus on the more historic aspects of the Delmarva region, including Native American life during precolonial times, fishing and gathering culture throughout the ages, local maritime history, and even a focus on how the land was like and what’s changes through the centuries. Be sure to check out the interactive Beavers Lodge recreation. And you won’t want to miss the two-story steamship replica. With all its included displays, like decorated rooms, and interactive films, the ship itself practically serves as a museum within the museum.
The Delmarva Discovery Museum is also home to an interactive STEAM Lab (in the Henson room) to help enrich and foster growing young minds. STEAM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering/Environment, Art/Agriculture, and Math, is an inspiring initiative that welcomes young guests to partake in many different engaging activities and opportunities on location. They even provide lab coats, goggles, and all that other authentic good stuff!
There’s also a fun Children’s Room for younger visitors not yet ready to break into the budding scientist mold. Laden with books, toys, and engaging crafts and other activities, this is a great room to take a break at, especially for the parents of high-energy tykes.
While there is so much to see and do on your own any time you visit, do take note of the various ongoing regular programs and seasonal events frequently taking place here. Some of the current offerings include the aforementioned Otter Enrichment Feedings, Otterly Silly Saturday events, and a changing Live Animal Program every Sunday. The museum is also site to the Annual Delmarva Decoy Heritage Festival and other happenings. They also provide an excellent location for hosting birthday parties and other engagements/private events. Click here to learn more about this.
Again, the Delmarva Discovery Museum is a year-round destination based in Pocomoke City Maryland. Current winter operations are Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Other days are reserved for field trips. To learn more about the Delmarva Discovery Museum, including directions, pricing, and all other general information, visit their website at www.delmarvadiscoverycenter.org.