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
Welcome to the camp, * enjoy your stay, * and share in the spirit of the services.
In memory of one who loved the camp and served many years as treasurer:
December 11, 1903 June 28, 1974
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the United Methodist Church Historic Sites series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1814.
Location. 38° 33.514′ N, 75° 22.029′ W. Marker is near Millsboro, Delaware, in Sussex County. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is on Delawares Beaches. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic and on the Delmarva Peninsula. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, and the Antebellum South.
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
this page online
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
Also see . . . Carey's Camp Meeting Ground - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form.
During the last half of the nineteenth century, camp meetings could be found in(Submitted on April 23, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)all parts of Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where the Methodists were the dominant religious body. The camp meeting at Rehoboth Beach formed the nucleus of the present resort city.Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 20, 20112. Carey's Camp Marker
Today there are only three active camp meetings in Delaware, of which Carey's is the most vigorous.
...Careys Methodist Church was built in 1886, on ground at The Oaks deeded in 1884 by Elijah W. Carey to the Shortly Circuit M.E. Church. A bush meeting apparently had been held for some years in the grove adjacent to the church yard, and provided the impetus for the establishment of both the church and the camp meeting. Since its formal establishment in 1888, the camp committee has been the governing body of a distinct camp meeting organization, even though its officers generally are the same as those of the church.
Additional commentary.
1. The Delmarva Peninsula
is a large peninsula on the East Coast of the United States, occupied by most of Delaware and portions of Maryland and Virginia. The peninsula is almost 180 by 60 miles (300 by 100 km), and is bordered by the Chesapeake Bay on the west, and the Delaware River, Delaware Bay, and Atlantic Ocean
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 20, 2011
3. Carey's Camp Marker
cottages or “tents” which circle an open frame structure called the "tabernacle" at center
— Submitted December 1, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
2. Carey's Camp
was established in 1888 as a Methodist camp meeting near Millsboro, Delaware. Traditionally occupied for two weeks 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)
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 20, 2011
4. Carey's Camp today's cottages or "tents".
— Submitted December 1, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 20, 2011
5. Carey's Camp "tents"
Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 979 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 1, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
