Originally named the Ocean City Life-Saving Station, the Life-Saving Service and later the U. S. Coast Guard actively used the building until 1964. The life-saving station was part of the coastal system, established by the United States Treasury Department for saving vessels in distress and lives in peril upon the water.

The first station at Ocean City was the architectural type “1874 type, second variation.” It was quaint and small, and sat alone in the dunes at the northern edge of Ocean City. The government decided to enlarge the facility since the station saw much activity during its first ten years.

In 1891, the present Ocean City Station, now the museum, was built. The architecture of the station house was referred to as an “1882 type.” The architect of record was J. L. Parkinson. The surfmen stationed at Ocean City became integral to the newly developing town. Heroic deeds at sea earned them the respect of everyone. 

In 1915, the U. S. Life-Saving Service merged with the Revenue Cutter Service to form the modern-day U. S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard used the building until 1964 when they moved to a newly constructed station near the Ocean City inlet. 

The “Old Coast Guard” building fell into a state of disrepair and was used by the city for various government departments. In 1977, the building was scheduled for demolition.

This motivated a group of concerned citizens who formed the Ocean City Museum Society. The Society, with the generosity and support of the Mayor and City Council, was able to save the building by moving it to its present location at the southern end of the Boardwalk overlooking the Ocean City inlet.

Today the museum offers visitors a chance to do a deep dive into the history of the U.S. Life-Saving Service and learn about the cultural and natural history of Ocean City and Worcester County, Maryland. Our permanent exhibits include the original USLSS log book, physical artifacts from the USLSS, historical elements from the Ocean City Boardwalk, a collection of sand from beaches all over the world, and a display dedicated to surfing and its history in Ocean City, as well as the history of the pioneering women of Ocean City.

We look forward to your visit to the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum!