Former bank now home to Ocean City's newest museum

OCEAN CITY, Md. - A visit to Ocean City’s newest museum turned into a walk down memory lane for Michelle Seibel and her parents, as they stepped inside for the first time and discovered a personal connection to their family’s history.

Seibel was surprised to find an exhibit featuring the Mayflower Hotel — a building her grandfather helped renovate in the 1970s.

“My family found this to be pretty exciting. This is the Mayflower Hotel. There’s a postcard of it and a picture of the dining room place setting that we remember eating on,” Seibel said.

Located in what was once the Bank of Ocean City, the building served the community from 1916 until its closure in 2019. Now, instead of holding cash, the space holds stories and artifacts of the past, repurposed into a museum.

On the first floor, the museum is divided into two main exhibit spaces. The left side focuses on the history of downtown Ocean City, featuring displays and stories of early businesses and residents.

The right side highlights the restaurants and hotels that played a significant role in shaping the local hospitality scene.

At the heart of the museum sits a walk-in safe — a remnant from the building’s banking days. The original door, complete with a working alarm system that rings when opened or closed, is one of the museum’s unique interactive features.

“There’s lots of really cool old pictures and good history of Ocean City,” Seibel said.

For those interested in deeper research, the museum offers access to its second-floor research library by appointment. Visitors can explore a wide array of archival materials, including photographs, maps, and menus from iconic Ocean City establishments.

Admission to the museum ranges from $4 to $6, with children 11 and under admitted free. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.