Milford Museum Plans Move Despite Setbacks, Seeks Additional Funding

MILFORD, DE — The Milford Museum has had plans to move from its current location on South Walnut Street for more than a year, but recent funding and construction challenges have delayed progress. The museum applied for $500,000 through Delaware’s Community Reinvestment Fund to support the relocation effort, but received less than $50,000.

Still, city and museum officials say the project is far from stalled.

“That doesn’t mean that it stops the project,” said Milford Mayor Todd Culotta. “We will still work with them closely to help with funding and things like that. We actually have within our own community experts in public funding projects.”

The new museum will be located at the former Milford Police Department building at 400 Northeast Front Street. The city-owned building has been vacant since the police department moved to its new headquarters. Once completed, the new facility will double the museum’s current space, allowing expanded exhibits on local shipbuilding, military history, and maritime heritage. It will also house a visitor welcome center in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Milford, positioning it as a central gateway for tourists and residents alike.

Museum Executive Director Thomas Summers acknowledged the funding gap but said the museum is exploring all options to move forward.

“We’re going to be looking at grants. We’re looking for bank resources. We’ll be looking for personal donations,” Summers said. “We’re going to be looking at every opportunity we can find for more financial funding to actually get the building done.”

While some community members have expressed concerns about the museum moving away from the traditional downtown district, Summers and city officials emphasize the new location’s improved visibility and capacity.

“I hope that it does become a central point,” Culotta said. “But where can I go to eat? What can I do for fun? Where can I go to look at houses if I want to live here? All that can be right there. It’s going to be a great addition to Milford.”

Despite the vision, construction has not yet begun. Although fire marshal approval was granted in late May, additional delays have pushed the project’s timeline. City officials now estimate that the move could be completed by the end of the year. The museum’s board is currently finalizing the construction schedule.

One of the driving factors behind the move is space: the museum holds over 13,000 artifacts, many of which have remained in storage due to the limited footprint of the current building. Additionally, environmental concerns—including the presence of lead—have prompted the need for relocation and remediation.

The Milford Museum’s move is a major step in reimagining how the city tells its story—connecting history with the future of tourism and community development.