The Lewes Historical Society

The Lewes Historical Society Promoting and advocating for the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of Lewes.
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From Captain Kidd and the eternal rhythms of the tides to the salty courage of the Delaware pilots and the nationally-recognized architecture of our historic district - Lewes' past is colorful, unique and proud. The ancient beam of old Cape Henlopen Light still haunts the local seas and local imaginations in "Delaware's Saltiest Town." The Lewes Historical Society began in 1961 as local residents

identified a need to preserve Lewes' architectural heritage and for an organization to act as a steward for Lewes' past - a history that stretches back to humble Dutch origins in 1631. The Society has been recognized as one of Delaware's greatest assets and has been honored for our efforts by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and by the American Association for State & Local History. The Society celebrates the heritage of Lewes -- "The First Town in The First State!"

🎉 TODAY IS THE DAY! Our BACK TO SCHOOL BASH starts at 4:00 PM!Come make ice cream the 1800s way and enjoy a taste of you...
09/04/2026

🎉 TODAY IS THE DAY! Our BACK TO SCHOOL BASH starts at 4:00 PM!

Come make ice cream the 1800s way and enjoy a taste of your hard work! 🍦 Plus, explore hands-on activities from our amazing community partners:

>The Sussex County Bookmobile
>The History Book Festival
>Zwaanendael Museum
>Lewes Public Library
>Fort Miles Historical Area
>History in Hand Card Game

And don’t miss The Blarney Pilgrims in the Tavern, La Pinkeria Food Truck, and FOX29 Weatherman Drew Anderson with forecasts from 4–7 PM! 🌮🎶🌤️

Come celebrate with us—there’s something for everyone!

A new month is here, which means our next First Friday Community Night is just ahead. This is one of our favorites each ...
09/01/2026

A new month is here, which means our next First Friday Community Night is just ahead. This is one of our favorites each year: the BACK TO SCHOOL BASH! Join us and our friends on Friday, September 4th from 4:00-7:00 with a night loaded with fun, games, and hands-on activities for the whole family!

There are just TEN tickets available for tonight's SHIPWRECKS & RESCUES TOUR! Check out historiclewes.org/tours to snag ...
08/27/2026

There are just TEN tickets available for tonight's SHIPWRECKS & RESCUES TOUR! Check out historiclewes.org/tours to snag your spot at 8:00 while they last!

UPDATE: Tickets remain available at *8 p.m.* All others are sold out!!!You probably already know that Historic Lewes is...
08/26/2026

UPDATE: Tickets remain available at *8 p.m.* All others are sold out!!!

You probably already know that Historic Lewes is full of passionate storytellers who care deeply about our history. Come see them at their very best during our upcoming SHIPWRECKS & RESCUES TOUR, taking place tomorrow beginning at 7 p.m.!

There are still some tickets available, so don't delay! Historiclewes.org/tours

This Saturday, August 29th, the Sussex Tavern is hosting singer/songwriter Shawn Lacy from 5PM to 6PM. C’mon down to the...
08/26/2026

This Saturday, August 29th, the Sussex Tavern is hosting singer/songwriter Shawn Lacy from 5PM to 6PM. C’mon down to the Historic Lewes campus at 110 Shipcarpenter Street, Lewes for this free one hour show.
Nashville’s Shawn Lacy is a Rolling Stone Artist to Watch. From opening for Zac Brown, Phil Vassar, Amos Lee and John Fogerty, to recording his albums at Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Studios, Shawn has gone from Nashville’s “best kept secret” to a Music City legend.
He wrote his latest EP with Dean Dillon (writer of Tennessee Wh***ey). Matt Billingslea (drummer for Taylor Swift) produced and performs on the record, as well as members of Swift’s band.
Shawn Lacy will be performing at the Delaware Beaches Songwriters Festival Sept 11th at the room at Cedar Grove (with Crystal Rose) doors at 5:30pm, but you can see him first at a free show at the Sussex Tavern Saturday Aug 29th from 5 PM to 6PM
See you at the Sussex!

For over nearly forty years, surfmen of the U.S. Life-Saving Service put their lives on the line to save those in peril ...
08/25/2026

For over nearly forty years, surfmen of the U.S. Life-Saving Service put their lives on the line to save those in peril on the sea. Hear true tales of their heroics at our SHIPWRECKS & RESCUES tour on Thursday, August 27th, beginning at 7 p.m.

Tickets are going fast! Check out historiclewes.org/tours NOW to secure your spot!

When the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse fell into the sea in 1926, it was one of the oldest beacons in America. Since the lat...
08/25/2026

When the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse fell into the sea in 1926, it was one of the oldest beacons in America. Since the late 1700s, it had borne witness to countless storms and saved many lives, manned by its faithful lightkeepers.

Hear stories of shipwrecks, survival, and nature's fury at our upcoming SHIPWRECKS & RESCUES tour on Thursday, August 27th at 7 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now! Historiclewes.org/tours

It has been one week now since we wrapped up our annual War of 1812 reenactment, UNDER ENEMY GUNS! We were very happy t...
08/23/2026

It has been one week now since we wrapped up our annual War of 1812 reenactment, UNDER ENEMY GUNS! We were very happy to welcome approximately 300 people to our Campus, and encounter many more as our fife and drums marched their way up Second Street. Huzzah to old Lewistown!

We would like to thank everyone who joined us throughout the weekend, our wonderful volunteers and staff, guest photographers, the Forbes Road Frolic band, and living history friends from the Fort McHenry Guard, 42nd Highland Regiment, Royal Marines, and more!

If you attended the event or encountered us on Second Street, we'd love to see your pictures and video, too - please tag us or drop them in the comments!

📸 Chuck Payette & Historic Lewes Staff

We'll see you all again to explore the infamous Bombardment of Lewes and the oft-forgotten War of 1812 in spring 2027!

The Delaware coast is a graveyard for over 2,000 ships. Join Historic Lewes on Thursday, August 27th at 7 p.m. for our ...
08/22/2026

The Delaware coast is a graveyard for over 2,000 ships. Join Historic Lewes on Thursday, August 27th at 7 p.m. for our next SHIPWRECKS & RESCUES tour on the beaches of Cape Henlopen for stories of disaster and heroism.

Visit historiclewes.org/tours to secure your tickets today!

Address

110 Shipcarpenter Street
Lewes, DE
19958

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

+13026457670

Website

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