I love every part of Delaware, from the culturally-rich city of Wilmington and its peaceful suburbs, to Dover where I celebrate my service in the U.S. Air Force, to our festive and relaxing beach towns that are cherished by vacationers and residents alike. But there are some days where I’m especially loving the town of Lewes, where we live.
Today – in the heat of the summer – is one of those days because I’m astounded at the robust offerings of the Lewes Historical Society https://www.historiclewes.org/. It’s headquartered on a campus of buildings dating back to the 1700s downtown and features many ways to experience elements of life in what’s known as “the first town in the first state” and, on a larger scale, the founding of our nation. It also manages the Cannonball House and Maritime Museum https://www.historiclewes.org/locations/maritime-museum-at-the-cannonball-house/, and the Lewes Historical Museum and Archives https://www.historiclewes.org/locations/lewes-history-museum-archives/, the Ryves Holt House and the U.S. Life-Saving Service Boat House.
These are wonderful places to visit all year and perhaps especially on days when it’s too rainy or too hot to enjoy the beach. You can also experience it very well on your own or with a companion or two, or with your grandkids, who can be entertained on several levels.
Here are some highlights of what’s happening there in the next few weeks:
HISTORY TOURS https://www.historiclewes.org/tours/
The history of Lewes is multidimensional, rooted in its maritime heritage, Revolutionary War importance and evolution into the architecturally significant place it is today. You can experience it through:
The Shipwrecks & Rescues Tour, taking place at Cape Henlopen State Park, where you’ll learn why there are more than 2,000 wrecks along the Delaware coastline. Upcoming tours are set for July 26th at 7:30 p.m. and August 30th at 7 p.m.
The Historic Highlights Walking Tour, which takes place Thursday through Saturday at 11 a.m. It’s a 45 minute tour spotlighting key places and happenings in the town’s 300-year history.
The A View into the Past: Historic House Tour is offered at 4 p.m. on Thursdays up through October and takes you through streets lined with historic buildings that now house the town’s upscale shops, restaurants and cultural sites. This is a special treat for historic home lovers since so many houses that are well over 100 years old have been beautifully restored or renovated for modern life.
The Finding Their Voices: The History & Legacy of the African American Community in Lewes
This is a fascinating tour, available upon request, where you can learn about the accomplishments of African-American residents, workers and businesspeople in town. It’s a 1.5 walking tour past important buildings and historically-important sites.
The Revolutionary Lewes tour is a 90-minute walking tour focused on the town’s role in the American Revolution and why our location, at the mouth of Delaware Bay made it so crucial to the security of so many communities when America claimed and fought for its independence from Great Britain. It covers 1.3 miles and happens at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Fridays through October.
Do you love stories about paranormal happenings? Or perhaps have teenaged grandchildren who love spooky entertainment? The Lewes Legends Evening Tour will introduce you to many mysterious events, legends and tall tales over a 1.5 mile walk at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays through October. And if you want to delve deeper you can join the Haunting History: Paranormal Investigation tours, led by experienced detectives of the spectral realm. These 2.5 hour walkabouts will be offered September 6th and 13th, October 4th and 11th, November 1st and 8th, and December 13th and 20th.
OTHER FESTIVE AND EDUCATIONAL HAPPENINGS
You don’t have to wait for any of these scheduled tours to explore Lewes and the Historical Society on your own. The campus, located on Shipcarpenter Street https://www.historiclewes.org/locations/historic-shipcarpenter-street-campus/, is open to drop-in visitors who enjoy seeing 200 year old homes and other buildings, including a one-room schoolhouse, a replicated 18th century tavern, a 19th century doctor’s office and lovely gardens.
You can also experience historic festivities with costumed actors on Fridays in that recreated tavern, attend educational lectures, and make plans for the Second Annual British Invasion on August 20th from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring food, drinks and live music created by The Beatles and other British musicians performed by Robert LeBlanc and Tony Sciuto, formerly of the Little River Band. Get the details at https://www.historiclewes.org/events/.