About the Delray Beach Historical Society

The Delray Beach Historical Society was founded on August 20, 1964.The Chamber of Commerce and the citizens of Delray Beach formed this non-profit organization out of the mutual concern for the preservation of local history. Many of those involved were members of the original pioneer families that settled this area.

The first president of the Delray Beach Historical Society was Ethel Sterling Williams, a Delray Beach resident since 1896 whose family’s first home in Delray Beach was upstairs at the Sterling Commissary on  Atlantic Avenue.

Our Mission

When it was founded in 1964, DBHS set out to collect and preserve the stories, artifacts, and memorabilia from the area’s founding families to provide an authentic record of how we got started and where we are going.

Over time, the Mission evolved to emphasize educating the community, particularly its youth and new residents, about the City’s historic past. Evidence confirms that individuals become more active and involved citizens when they understand and respect their community’s heritage.

What We Do

Today the DBHS is responsible for the operation of three sites in the City of Delray Beach.

Ethel Sterling Williams History Learning Center and Archives was moved in 2007, renovated and opened in 2008. The archives contains photographs, newspapers, oral histories, books, maps, letters and a variety of other materials documenting the history of Delray Beach.  It is available to all members of the community for research purposes.

The Cason Cottage Historic House Museum was restored through a joint effort of the DBHS and the City of Delray Beach in 1988.  The cottage was built circa 1924 by Reverend and Mrs. John R. Cason, It is a vernacular style home with craftsman cottage details, solidly constructed of Dade County Pine.  The society maintains the Cason Cottage as a permanent exhibit that reflects Florida lifestyle from 1915-1935.

The 1926 Bungalow, built  by F.J. Schrader, is a bungalow style home with arts and crafts elements.  At the same time development was threatening the Bungalow, DBHS was looking for a property to save and move to the Cason Cottage property.

Once again teaming with the City of Delray Beach, the Bungalow was restored to serve as a visitor and docent center as well as executive offices and exhibit space for the DBHS. Although the Bungalow has had an active history with multiple uses besides serving as a family home, it has maintained many of the architectural and design elements that identify it as a fine example of Arts and Crafts style construction.

To schedule a group tour of any DBHS location, please call 561.274.9578

All watercolor artwork by Barbara Montgomery O’Connell