What are the opening hours?

Wednesday 10am - 4:15pm Thursday 10am - 4:15pm Friday 10am - 4:15pm Saturday 10am - 4:15pm

Zwaanendael Museum

Name: Zwaanendael Museum
Address: 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE, 19958, US
Telephone: +13026451148
Price range: $

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Zwaanendael Museum

Built in 1931, the Zwaanendael Museum commemorates the Swaanendael colony, the first European colony to come to what would be Delaware in 1631.

The museum features a variety of exhibits that display Lewes, Sussex County, and Delaware history.

09/04/2026

Happy Friday! The Zwaanendael Museum is looking forward to a lovely Labor Day Weekend, and a busy September! Check out our upcoming events listed below.

Museum Open on Labor Day Monday 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

⚓️Walk to DeBraak. September 12 at 2 p.m. and September 17 at 10 a.m.
See the remains of the HMS DeBraak, and learn about the ships complicated history. Both Tours at this time are filled. Tours are free, but prior registration is required. For more information please Call (302) 645-1148 or email [email protected]

🏴‍☠️National Talk Like a Pirate Day. September 19, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Celebrate National Talk Like a Pirate Day with a mini pirate exhibit on the 2nd floor of the Zwaanendael Museum. While you're there, learn how to talk like a pirate and what your pirate name might be!

🇬🇧Loyalist on the Lawn. September 5 & 19, 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Our costumed historian will portray a Loyalist Officer during the Revolutionary War. Learn about this other side of the 250th, and what these officers would have carried with them.

🍢Make a Sailor Valentine Craft September 26, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Learn about and make a historic fall themed sailor valentine on the 2nd floor of the Zwaanendael Museum. Free for all ages while supplies last.

You can also find Zwaanendael staff at various events across the state this month! Check out the complete calendar of HCA events using the link here. https://history.delaware.gov/calendar/month/2026-08/

09/03/2026

Our curators came by on Monday this week to add more items to our Lighthouse exhibit!

These pieces all relate to the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse, and include images, souvenirs, and salvaged fragments of the lens. Everything can be seen on the 2nd floor of the Zwaanendael Museum.
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09/01/2026

The Battle of Cooch's Bridge.

Thursday will mark the 249th Anniversary of the Battle of Cooch's Bridge. It is the only American Revolutionary War battle to take place in Delaware.

In late August 1777, General George Washington formed a corps of light infantry by drawing light infantrymen and riflemen from 9 of the brigades of the Continental Army. The corps was placed under the command of Brigadier General William Maxwell and is commonly refferred to as Maxwell's Corps of Light Infantry. Washington tasked Maxwell and his men with delaying the British march on Philadelphia as long as possible.

The British had landed at the Head of the Elk on August 27, 1777 and started marching on Philadelphia. On September 3, 1777 Maxwell's corps engaged the British at Cooch's Bridge in Newark, DE. The battle pitted British light infantry and Jägers of Hesse-Cassel and Anspach-Bayreuth against Maxwell's men and militia from Delaware and Pennsylvania. The day long battle ended with the Americans retreating after running out of ammunition. The battle despite being a defeat for the Continental Army delayed the British by a few days. The number of casualties on both sides are disputed.

Illustrated here are four illustrations of soldiers present at the Battle of Cooch's Bridge on September 3, 1777. The first image is that of a sergeant in Maxwell's Corps of Light Infantry. He wears the uniform of his parent regiment, the 2nd Virginia Regiment. His rank is identified by the red eppaulette on his right shoulder and the red sash around his waist. The second illustration is that of a light infantryman drawn from the 5th Pennsylvania Regiment.

The third image is that of a sergeant in the British 1st Light Infnatry Battalion. The Battalion was made up of the light infantry companies from several British Regiments of Foot or infantry. He wears a modified light infantry uniform in the facing colors of his parent regiment the 35th Regiment of Foot. The fourth image is that of a Jäger from the German state of Hesse-Cassel. Jägers were experienced outdoorsmen and marksmen. He carries a rifle and and a hunting sword.

Download the uncolored version to use as a coloring page to enjoy at home or stop by the Zwaanendael Museum and grab a copy!

ZM48, 49,51, 52

08/25/2026

Washington's Old Line.

Thursday will mark the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Island or Brooklyn on August 27, 1776. General George Washington and a large portion of the Continental Army had occupied the heights of Brooklyn in an attempt to protect New York City. Among the regiments of the Continental Army was the 1st Maryland Regiment. It was also known as Smallwood's Maryland Regiment after its commander Colonel William Smallwood. Several Delawareans reportedly served in the regiment.

During the battle the 1st Maryland Regiment repeatedly charged a stronger British force. In doing so a large portion of the Continental Army was able to escape to Manhattan to fight another day. The majority of the regiment was killed or captured with only a handful making it back to the American lines. By the end of September 1776 all of New York City was under British control and remained occupied by them till the end of the war. The 1st Maryland Regiment would be rebuilt and fight until the end of the war.

Today the State of Maryland is nicknamed the "Old-Line State" beacause of the actions of the 1st Maryland at Long Island. Washington reportedly reffered to the regiments of the Maryland Continental Line as his old line, units he could always count on. As the war dragged on, the regiments of Maryland and the 1st Delaware Regiment were brigaded together as the elites of the Continental Army. They distingushed themselves throughout the war being regiments their commanders could always rely on.

Illustrated here is a private of the 1st Maryland Regiment under Colonel William Smallwood in 1776. At the Battle of Long Island, the 1st Maryland was mostly uniformed in hunting shirts. He wears a cocked hat with white tape or trim, buckskin breeches and spatterdashes or half gaiters over his shoes and stockings. He is armed with a musket and a bayonet.

Download the uncolored version to use as a coloring page to enjoy at home or stop by the Zwaanendael Museum and grab a copy!

ZM17

08/22/2026

The weather has not been kind to our Loyalist this summer.

Due to the weather today, our Loyalist has once again made his headquarters on the 1st floor of the Zwaanendael Museum. He is grateful to his hosts for a dry place to hang his coat. He hopes the public will come and visit him inside today from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm and learn about the Loyalists of Delaware during the American Revolutionary War.

08/21/2026

Very chic indeed! 💅

You can see the Merman, our resident Loyalist, and learn about local history this weekend at the Zwaanendael Museum! Visit us on Saturday from 10a.m. to 4:15 p.m. and see why its chic to be at the museum.

08/18/2026

In late August 1777, a large force of over 15,000 British soldiers and their allies landed at the Head of the Elk, MD, under the command of General Sir William Howe. From there they began their march to capture Philadelphia, then the capital of the new United States. Many Delawareans and Marylanders flocked to the British to join Loyalist or Provincial regiments. Among them were several enlsaved Black Delawareans seeking the promise of freedom if they fought with the British.

One of those Delawareans was 22 year old David Riddle. He ran away from his master Joseph Griffiths of New Castle County. On his back, David carried 1 year old Ben Riddle. It is unknown if the two were brothers or father and son. Upon reaching the British lines, David joined the Black Company of Pioneers, a loyalist engineer unit. Once the British occupied Philadelphia, David and men of the unit were tasked with building fortifications and keeping the streets of the city clean of debris and trash to prevent disease. At the war's end David and Ben were among the over 3,000 Black Americans evacuated by the British to modern day Canada. David and Ben travelled onboard the Lord Townsend to St. John's River, New Brunswick. Unfortunately after reaching St. John's River the rest of their story is unknown.

Illustrated here is David Riddle, wearing the uniform of the Black Company of Pioneers. The unit's uniform was described as a green sailor's coat, a white shirt and brown wool overalls. Black cocked hats and a black neckerchief or neck stock were worn. As an engineer unit they carried tools rather than weapons.

Download the uncolored version to use as a coloring page to enjoy at home or stop by the Zwaanendael Museum and grab a copy!

ZM57

08/12/2026

During the American Revolutionary War, Delaware was a divided state. Loyalties to Great Britain and the idea of self government and independence divided neighbors and families. This lecture will discuss the Delawareans loyal to King George III, who openly took up arms in his service during the American Revolutionary War against their fellow Delawareans and Americans. Presentation by Zwaanendael Museum's Mark Wilson at 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. with tabling to follow at the John Dickinson Plantation located at 340 Kitts Hummock RD, Dover, DE, 19901.

For questions please contact the John Dickinson Plantation at [email protected] or call 302-739-3277

08/11/2026

The Tories are back!

During the American Revolution, Delaware was a hot bed for Loyalists or Tories, or those who remained loyal to Great Britian. This was especially true in Kent and Sussex Counties, where two Loyalist uprisings would take place during the war.

The first, known as Cheney Clow's Rebellion, took place in April 1778 along the Delaware/Maryland border west of Dover. Clow and his followers had built a small fort along the state border and raided local farms. Delaware and Maryland Militia captured the fort and some of Clow's followers. In 1782, Clow was captured by the Kent County sheriff. During his capture a sheriff's deputy was killed either by Clow or friendly fire. Clow was charged with treason and murder and was ultiamtley hung for murder in 1787.

The second uprising, known as the Black Camp Rebellion or Uprising took place in July/August 1780 in the swamps of present day Ellendale, DE. The uprising involved around 400-500 Sussex and Kent County loyalists. Using the swamps in around present day Ellendale as their camps, they raided locals farms and plantations. Their goal was to secure Sussex County for the British. The rebellion was very quiclky put down by the Sussex County Militia under Brigadier General John Dagworthy. News of the rebellion never reached the British.

Illustrated here is Loyalist or Tory militiaman that would have been common throughout the 13 colonies or states during the war. Unlike Loyalist or Provincial regiments of the British Army, they lacked official uniforms. Rather they wore civillian clothing. This led to confusion on the battlefield. In response to this many loyalists wore white armbands on their arms or tied cloth with the British G.R. symbol on their arms to help identify who they were on the battlfield. Many also wore red cockades or ribbons on their hats instead of the black one worn by some of the patriots.

If you are interested in learning more about Loyalists from Delaware who took up arms against their fellow Delawareans, this Saturday 8/15, Zwaanendael Museum's Mark Wilson will be giving his presentation "In Service of the Crown: Loyalist Soldiers of Delaware" at the John Dickinson Plantation at 10:30 am and 2 pm. For more information please contact our friends at the John Dickinson Plantation at 302-739-3277

Download the uncolored version to use as a coloring page to enjoy at home or stop by the Zwaanendael Museum and grab a copy!

ZM42

08/08/2026

The Loyalist has returned to the Zwaanendael Museum!

Due to the high heat and humidity today, our Loyalist Officer has made his headquarters inside the museum. He will be on the 1st floor from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm today and hopes visitors will stop by to learn about Delaware's loyalists during the American Revolutionary War!

Address

102 Kings Highway
Lewes, DE
19958

Opening Hours

Wednesday	10am - 4:15pm
Thursday	10am - 4:15pm
Friday	10am - 4:15pm
Saturday	10am - 4:15pm

Telephone

+13026451148

Website

https://history.delaware.gov/zwaanendael-museum/

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