Near Millsboro in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Carey's Camp

Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 20, 2011

1. Carey's Camp Marker

Inscription. By the late eighteenth century a Methodist Society had been organized in this area. In 1888, two years after the construction of Carey’s Church, the first official Carey’s Camp Meeting was held in the grove adjoining the church. These first meetings, known as bush or basket meetings, were held under temporary shelters made of boughs lashed together. The Camp now consists of a series of cottages or “tents” which circle an open frame structure called the tabernacle. Annual worship services are held here for two weeks during the summer. Carey’s Camp was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Erected 1994 by Delaware State Archives. (Marker Number SC-98.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.

Location. 38° 33.504′ N, 75° 22.031′ W. Marker is near Millsboro, Delaware, in Sussex County. Marker is on Careys Camp Road, on the left when traveling east. Located between Cross Keys Road and Atkins Court. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 47 Careys Camp Rd, Millsboro DE 19966, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Carey's Camp (a few

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steps from this marker); Gumboro Hundred (approx. 2.6 miles away); Godwin's School - District #190 (approx. 3.1 miles away); Bethany United Methodist Church (approx. 3.2 miles away); Westwoods Methodist Church (approx. 3½ miles away); Hickory Hill Methodist Church (approx. 3.6 miles away); Jones Cemetery (approx. 4.3 miles away); Trinity Methodist Church (approx. 4½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Millsboro.

Regarding Carey's Camp. National Register of Historic Places:
Carey's Camp Meeting Ground ** (added 1973 - - #73000557)
♦ Historic Significance: Event
♦ Area of Significance: Religion, Social History
♦ Period of Significance: 1875-1899
♦ Historic Function: Domestic, Religion
♦ Current Function: Domestic, Religion
Current Sub-function: Camp

Additional commentary.
1. Carey's Camp
was established in 1888 as a Methodist camp meeting near Millsboro, Delaware. Traditionally occupied for two weeks

Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 20, 2011

2. Carey's Camp Marker

cottages or “tents” which circle an open frame structure called the tabernacle at center

in August for prayer and religious instruction, the camp is composed of 47 wood cabins (called "tents") in an oval around a tabernacle. As with many such meeting grounds, the camp is located in a grove of oaks trees. The front-gabled cabins almost touch each other. Each cabin has a window in the gable and a porch on the front. The rear of the porch is entirely open to the interior of the house, so that the cabin's occupants could see and be seen from the center. An enclosed kitchen is in the back of the cabin. Sleeping rooms are located upstairs.

Tents are usually owned by families, although a few tents, such as the preacher's, are owned by the camp committee. A boarding tent with six sleeping rooms offers food, and a confectionery is located outside the circle. At the center of the circle is the tabernacle. Originally a long shed, two arms were added to make it cruciform in shape, with three arms used for seating while a fourth serves as a chancel. Hinged panels open to allow a view into the tabernacle from outside. Benches outside accommodate overflow. (Wikipedia entry)

— Submitted October 24, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.

Carey's Camp "tents" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 20, 2011

3. Carey's Camp "tents"

Carey's Camp image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 20, 2011

4. Carey's Camp

Carey's Camp Marker (r), and Carey United Methodist Church, seen along Carey's Camp Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 20, 2011

5. Carey's Camp Marker (r), and Carey United Methodist Church, seen along Carey's Camp Road

Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 644 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 24, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.

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