Have you ever wondered about the Indian River Lifesaving Station? That picturesque little building on Route 1 past Dewey Beach? Most of us have commented on the building as we drive by; but might never think of actually stopping to find out about it. Well, here’s a bit of history about that building and the important work that’s being done there.

The Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum was built in 1876 by the United States Life-Saving Service, and along with Cape Henlopen Life-Saving Station, were the first two stations established along the coast of Delaware for helping to save the lives of shipwreck victims.

The Indian River Life-Saving Station served as a life-saving station until 1915, when a merger of the U.S. Life-Saving Service and the Revenue Marine Cutter Service by Congress formed the modern day United States Coast Guard. The station remained an active Coast Guard station until March 1962 when the great nor’easter that wrecked much havoc along Delaware’s coastline forced the station to be decommissioned.

After a decade of being abandoned, the life-saving station was occupied by the Delaware Highway Department as a maintenance facility until 1996 when a group of concerned citizens formed the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation to save this historic structure.

The Indian River Life-Saving Station is the only life-saving station left standing in its original location along our State’s shoreline. The Lewes, Cape Henlopen, Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island stations no longer stand along the coast.

The Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation was incorporated in 1997 and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

The restoration project, which begun in 1997, was completed in June 1998 and the station was subsequently opened to the general public as a Museum with a mission to interpret Delaware’s proud maritime heritage, while serving as responsible caretakers of the historic Indian River Life-Saving Station.

The Museum is available for touring year-round and accommodates school groups, senior groups, community special events and tourists throughout the mid-Atlantic region (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York).

The Indian River Life-Saving Station produced a professionally published book in 2002, entitled Journey Along the Sands, that covers the history of the station during the life-saving era (1876 –1915) for interested individuals wishing to learn more about this wonderful historic treasure.

Mr. Maurice Gibbs, former president of the national U.S. Life-Saving Service Heritage Association, was quoted as describing our Museum as "the model project for lifesaving station preservation in the country".

Delaware State Parks assumed full responsibility for the site in Spring of 2004 and the Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum and Gift Shop now serves as the park office and first point of contact for visitors to Delaware Seashore State Park.

In addition to interpreting the historic site, Delaware State Parks staff provide a variety of popular environmental education and recreational opportunities for visitors to Delaware Seashore, Fenwick Island, and Holts Landing State Parks. Programs include birding, seining, beachcombing, and tree and plant ID as well as kayak and pontoon boat trips on Rehoboth and Indian River Bays.

So, the next time you are driving by, don’t forget to stop and see what is inside that picture postcard building on the highway!