Ocean City 150th Anniversary Walking Tour

Date, Time, Location:

Thursday, May 8th

Walking Tour: 2pm – 4pm

Happy Hour: 4pm – 6pm

Event Details:

Did you know Ocean City, MD, was founded by women? The legendary Petticoat Regime—a group of pioneering female leaders—shaped the town’s early history, proving that strong women create lasting legacies.

In 1875, five male investors built the Atlantic Hotel, marking the beginning of Ocean City as a seaside destination. But it was a remarkable group of women who truly defined its future. Known as the Petticoat Regime, these trailblazing women took charge of the resort’s development. By 1926, an Ocean City advertising brochure listed 32 hotels—all but two were owned and managed by women.

Their leadership built more than just hotels—it set the foundation for a community of innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurship that continues today. From Ella Phillips Dennis to Rosalie Tighlman Shreve and Anne Lockhart Showell, these women transformed Ocean City into a thriving destination.

Join MTC and Ocean City Tourism in celebrating the legacy of these women’s leadership in Ocean City during their history walking tour! Walking tour will begin at the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum and will show case historic sites along the Boardwalk including the Henry Hotel and the Plimhimmon Hotel, known today as Plim Plaza. The tour will end at 4pm with an option Happy Hour from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Location to be determined.

Registration for this event is required. $35 for Maryland Tourism Coalition Members/Life-Saving Station Museum Members and $50 for non-members. A portion of each paid registration will be donated to the Henry Hotel Foundation. Registration is non-fundable. This is a RAIN or SHINE event.  MTC Members must login to their Personify account in order to get the member rate. Museum members must use the link stating LSSMM. Life-Saving Station Museum Members must contact Christine Okerblom, cokerblom@oceancitymd.gov to get the Member registration link. There is a 3% convenience fee for credit card transactions.