A Maritime Community and the War for American Independence

Discover how Lewes played a vital role during the American Revolution in this new exhibit at the Historic Lewes Maritime Museum & Margaret H. Rollins Welcome Center. Revolutionary Sussex at Sea explores Lewestown’s deep maritime roots and the network of pilots, shipwrights, and seafarers who shaped the region’s identity and participated in the broader Atlantic world.

The exhibit highlights the arrival of war on Lewestown’s shores on March 25, 1776, when the Royal Navy initiated a period of blockade and harassment. As the conflict unfolded, the town’s maritime community faced division and uncertainty, with local seafarers struggling to continue their work during eight years of upheaval. Through storytelling and historical interpretation, this exhibit brings to life the resilience of Sussex County’s coastal community during the fight for independence.

Soft Opening

April 15, 2026
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Exhibit Dates & Hours

April 17 – December 4, 2026
Fridays & Saturdays | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

December 5, 2026
Grand Opening of the Full Museum

This exhibit is part of Lewes’ commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, highlighting the town’s maritime heritage and its role during the Revolutionary War.

Stay tuned for more details!

Shanty Night at the Sussex Tavern is a monthly event full of time travelling adventure! Join us every third Friday evening to experience epic singing, cheering, ranting and raving like true British sailors would.

The third Friday of every month.

Admission: Free, drinks not included.

Join the gifted interpreters at the Historic Lewes Town Campus as they bring to life the “season of independence” in 1776 Lewistown.  Experience town gossip, witness trades and crafts in action, and enjoy spirited drinks at Sussex Tavern or delightful coffee and hot chocolate at the Coffee-house.

Admission: Free! Suggested Donation of $10 per person

Join the gifted interpreters at the Historic Lewes Town Campus as they bring to life the “season of independence” in 1776 Lewistown.  Experience town gossip, witness trades and crafts in action, and enjoy spirited drinks at Sussex Tavern or delightful coffee and hot chocolate at the Coffee-house.

Admission: Free! Suggested Donation of $10 per person

In-person or Online
Join us in-person in the Lewes Public Library or online a conversation between Ron Collins and Stephen D. Solomon, author of Revolutionary Dissent: How the Founding Generation Created the Freedom of Speech.

When members of the founding generation protested against British authority, debated separation, and then ratified the Constitution, they formed the American political character we know today - raucous, intemperate, and often mean-spirited. Revolutionary Dissent brings alive a world of colorful and stormy protests that included effigies, pamphlets, songs, sermons, cartoons, letters, and liberty trees. Solomon explores through a series of chronological narratives how Americans of the Revolutionary period employed robust speech against the British and against each other. Uninhibited dissent provided a distinctly American meaning to the First Amendment's guarantees of freedom of speech and press at a time when the legal doctrine inherited from England allowed prosecutions of those who criticized government. Solomon shares the stories of the dissenters who created the American idea of the liberty of thought, revealing the history of free expression in America.

Stephen D. Solomon is Marjorie Deane Professor of Journalism at New York University, where he teaches First Amendment law. He is founding editor of First Amendment Watch, which covers current conflicts over freedom of expression and provides legal and historical context. He served as Director of NYU's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute from 2020 to 2023. Solomon has written for The New York Times Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, The New Republic, Fortune, and other major publications and has earned several national journalism awards. He holds a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and a B.A. from Pennsylvania State University. He is the author of Ellery's Protest and the coauthor of Building 6: The Tragedy at Bridesburg.

Ron Collins is a retired law professor, co-founder of the History Book Festival, and the Lewes Public Library’s Distinguished Lecturer. His latest book is Tragedy on Trial: The Story of the Infamous Emmett Till Murder Trial.

Browseabout Books will offer copies of the book for sale during the event. The author will sign copies afterwards.

Each individual attending in-person must register to reserve a seat. For assistance with registration, contact the library during business hours.

This event is free and open to the public.

Location: Lewes Public Library

Tree Dedication Ceremony

Join us as we celebrate Arbor Day in Lewes with a meaningful moment rooted in history, community, and growth.

The City of Lewes will be planting a native oak tree in honor of the 250th Anniversary of the United States—a living symbol that will continue to grow for generations to come.

What to Expect

This special ceremony brings the community together to recognize the importance of trees, sustainability, and the role Lewes continues to play as the First Town in the First State.

• Tree dedication ceremony

• A native oak planted in honor of America’s 250th

• Light refreshments following the ceremony

• A chance to gather, reflect, and celebrate together

A Little Something to Take Home

To continue the spirit of Arbor Day beyond the event, free tree saplings will be available for attendees.

Saplings are first come, first served, so be sure to arrive early!

Why It Matters

For over 25 years, Lewes has been recognized as a Tree City—and this event is a reflection of that ongoing commitment to preserving and growing our natural landscape.

This isn’t just about planting a tree.
It’s about planting something that represents history, community, and the future.

We hope you’ll join us for this special moment in Lewes.

A Taste Through Time

Nectar Café & Juice Bar’s 250th Anniversary Dinner Series

1926: The Roaring Twenties

Step back in time with Nectar Café & Juice Bar as they host a five-part “Taste Through Time” dinner series in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. Each month, guests will enjoy a curated three-course dining experience celebrating a distinct era of American history — complete with themed cuisine, cocktails, attire, music, and décor.

From Colonial traditions to Roaring Twenties glamour and 1970s nostalgia, each evening offers a delicious journey through 250 years of culture and flavor. Seating is limited, and reservations are required — stay tuned for menu releases and pricing details.

Dates: The 26th of each month — January through May 2026

• April 26, 2026 – 1926: The Roaring Twenties

• May 26, 2026 – 1976: Americana Nostalgia

Location: Nectar Café & Juice Bar, Lewes, DE

Admission: By Reservation Only, please contact Nectar Café & Juice Bar at 302.645.5842

3-Course Themed Dinners | Menus & Pricing To Be Announced

Experience a taste of what Historic Lewes has to offer our community on First Fridays! Each month visit the Sussex Tavern for a colonial-inspired beverage, stop into the Lewistown Coffee-house for a taste of the Revolution, browse the Historic Lewes Antique Shop, listen to live music, take a tour, and enjoy stories from bygone times…all in the beautiful setting of our Historic Lewes Town Campus. Our community nights are FREE to attend!

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: Shipcarpenter Street

Summer farmers Market

Join us for the Summer Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your season gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: George H. P. Smith Memorial Park

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

“The British are Coming…Again!” This time they are invited!!!

The 31 st Annual Lewes British Motorcar Show, co-sponsored by the British Car Club of Delaware and the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, welcomes a wide array of classic and newer vintage British vehicles to Lewes on Saturday, May 2, 2026. It is held at the Lewes Ferry Terminal at 43 Cape Henlopen Drive from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year’s show will recognize Morgan as its featured marque as well as recognizing America’s 250th anniversary of independence. A hand-crafted original quilt, incorporating both the American and British flags, is being fabricated by a car club member and will be raffled. The event concludes with a parade that travels from the ferry terminal to downtown Lewes.

Admission to the show is $5 for adults and children under 12 are free. Grain on the Rocks restaurant on the grounds of the ferry terminal offers food and beverages for sale to show attendees. Spectators of all ages are encouraged to attend.

Free parking in the ferry terminal lot.

Summer farmers Market

Join us for the Summer Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your season gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: George H. P. Smith Memorial Park

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

Join us at Lewes Junction for a special celebration of National Train Day, honoring the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad and the moment that connected the nation from coast to coast. Experience a symbolic “golden spike” ceremony — just as the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads did in 1869 — and learn about the lasting impact railroads had on America’s growth and innovation.

Bring the family, explore exhibits and displays, and celebrate this piece of history as part of Lewes 250’s year-long commemoration of our shared American story.

Admission: Free | Suggested Donation: $5

Indoors & Outdoors

Visit the encampment of an American Loyalist on the lawn of the Zwaanendael Museum. Visitors will meet our costumed historian portraying an officer of the Loyal American Regiment, and learn about the uniforms, equipment and life of a Loyalist from Lewes during the Revolutionary War.

Guest of all ages can also enjoy a free activity or craft, and visit the museum at no cost.

Stay tuned for more details!

Stay tuned for details!

Shanty Night at the Sussex Tavern is a monthly event full of time travelling adventure! Join us every third Friday evening to experience epic singing, cheering, ranting and raving like true British sailors would.

The third Friday of every month.

Admission: Free, drinks not included.

Summer farmers Market

Join us for the Summer Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your season gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: George H. P. Smith Memorial Park

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

Join us for a special presentation with author Bill Manthorpe as he shares insights from his highly anticipated book exploring Lewes’ role in early American history. This intimate talk offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from the author, learn more about the stories behind the book, and ask questions in a small-group setting.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase, and attendees will have the opportunity to meet Bill Manthorpe and have their books signed following the presentation. Seating is limited, creating a relaxed and engaging experience for history enthusiasts and community members alike.

‍ ‍

Event Highlights

• Author talk with Bill Manthorpe
• Book available for purchase
• Meet the author
• Book signing following presentation
• Intimate, small-group setting

RSVP Required: makelly.dar@gmail.com

Celebrate Lewes’ deep-rooted connection to the water at Lewes Maritime Day, a community event honoring the area’s rich maritime heritage. Hosted by Lightship Overfalls and the Delaware River & Bay Authority, this special day pays tribute to Lewes’ seafaring history with engaging activities for all ages.

Enjoy a guest presentation by historian Andrew Lyter, along with live music, local food, and vendors throughout the day. Whether you're a history enthusiast, local resident, or visiting the coast, this event offers a relaxed and educational way to experience Lewes’ maritime culture.

Bring the family, explore Canalfront Park, and join the community in celebrating the stories, traditions, and people that shaped Lewes as a maritime town.

Event Highlights

• Tribute to Lewes maritime history
• Guest speaker: Historian Andrew Lyter
• Live music
• Food vendors
• Local vendors

Hosted By

Lightship Overfalls
Delaware River & Bay Authority

Admission: Free Event
Location: Outdoors at Canalfront Park

Come join us for Lewes Maritime Day and the annual opening of the Lightship Overfalls. Maritime Day commemorates the rich maritime history of Lewes. After a short ceremony, the Lightship Overfalls will open for the season. Take a free tour and learn the important role that lightships and their sailors played in keeping our waterways safe for commercial shipping and private boaters. Our tour guides not only show visitors around the ship, but they describe what life was like working and living on a Lightship. Visitors are also invited to view our Monomoy surf boat and tour our American Lightship Museum. There will be local vendors exhibiting their wares and sharing information about their programs.

The location for this event is being finalized, stay tuned!

Join acclaimed Nashville-based duo Kaston Guffey & Nick Pankey of My Politic for an uplifting evening of live music honoring America’s story through song. Their heartfelt blend of folk, country, and Americana captures the spirit of unity and independence that defines the Lewes 250 celebration.

This free community concert will bring together history, music, and hometown pride. Location details to be announced soon.

Location: Stay tuned for details!

Each month the crew of the Lightship Overfalls hosts a Canal Side Happy Hour. These events allow us to shine a light on the ship and educate the community by opening the Overfalls to visitors at no cost. 

Bring a chair and join us for our May Canal Side Happy Hour. Relax, listen to the tunes of a local artist, enjoy a libation of your choice, and get to know your neighbors and visitors to our lovely town of Lewes.

Take a free tour and learn the important role that lightships and their sailors played in keeping our waterways safe for commercial shipping and private boaters. Our tour guides not only show visitors around the ship, but they describe what life was like working and living on a Lightship.

Visitors are also invited to view our Monomoy surf boat and tour our American Lightship

Summer farmers Market

Join us for the Summer Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your season gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: George H. P. Smith Memorial Park

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

Visit the encampment of an American Loyalist on the lawn of the Zwaanendael Museum. Visitors will meet our costumed historian portraying an officer of the Loyal American Regiment, and learn about the uniforms, equipment and life of a Loyalist from Lewes during the Revolutionary War.

Guest of all ages can also enjoy a free activity or craft, and visit the museum at no cost.

Stay tuned for more details!

A Lewes Town Parade on Memorial Day at 11am coordinated by American Legion Post 17 to capture the many historial Memorias of the City of Lewes it’s Veterans and many Organizations and Program that capture the rich History of Lewes. 

This Years Parade is in collaboration with the Lewes 250 Commemorative Activities. 

More details coming soon!

Join the community in honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans during this special Memorial Day tribute hosted by William T. Spooner American Legion Post 17. As part of the lead-up to America’s 250th anniversary, this event recognizes the generations of men and women whose courage has safeguarded liberty and carried the promise of freedom forward.

The Memorial Day Parade will begin at Schley Avenue and travel through Lewes toward the beach, concluding at American Legion Post 17. Following the parade, a Memorial Day Ceremony will take place in the Pavilion, where the community is invited to gather in remembrance and gratitude. Veterans and active military members are encouraged to participate by walking or riding in the parade.

Come together to reflect, honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and celebrate the enduring spirit of service that continues to shape our nation.

Parade Route

Parade Start Time: Approximately 11:00 AM
Ceremony: Approximately 12:00 PM at American Legion Post 17 Pavilion

Begins at Schley Avenue (behind the Lewes Presbyterian Church parking lot)
Proceeds to Savannah Road
Travels over the canal toward the beach
Ends at American Legion Post 17

A Taste Through Time

Nectar Café & Juice Bar’s 250th Anniversary Dinner Series

1976: Americana Nostalgia

Step back in time with Nectar Café & Juice Bar as they host a five-part “Taste Through Time” dinner series in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. Each month, guests will enjoy a curated three-course dining experience celebrating a distinct era of American history — complete with themed cuisine, cocktails, attire, music, and décor.

From Colonial traditions to Roaring Twenties glamour and 1970s nostalgia, each evening offers a delicious journey through 250 years of culture and flavor. Seating is limited, and reservations are required — stay tuned for menu releases and pricing details.

Dates: The 26th of each month — January through May 2026

• May 26, 2026 – 1976: Americana Nostalgia

Location: Nectar Café & Juice Bar, Lewes, DE

Admission: By Reservation Only, please contact Nectar Café & Juice Bar at 302.645.5842

3-Course Themed Dinners | Menus & Pricing To Be Announced

Summer farmers Market

Join us for the Summer Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your season gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: George H. P. Smith Memorial Park

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

Celebrating Blues & African American Heritage in Lewes, DE

Get ready for a soulful celebration like no other.

Once in a Blue Moon brings the rhythm, history, and spirit of Blues music to the heart of Lewes for an unforgettable night of culture and connection. Inspired by the legacy of the Happy Day Club, this event honors the deep roots of Blues and African American heritage that have shaped music, community, and storytelling for generations.

The Experience

Step into an immersive evening filled with:
- Live music from the electrifying Christy Taylor Band
- Blues, Motown, and timeless classics that move the soul
- Curated food stations to keep the night flowing
- A fully immersive “Everything Blue” experience
- A vibrant, community-driven atmosphere under one unforgettable theme

This isn’t just a concert.
It’s a celebration of history, heritage, and the lasting influence of Blues music through the years.

What to Wear

We invite you to wear your favorite shade of blue and fully step into the spirit of the evening.

Some celebrations only happen once in a blue moon…
and this is one you won’t want to miss.

Wednesday Market

Join us for the Wendesday Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: Crooked Hammock Parking Lot

Historian Christopher Pearl examines the lesser-told stories of America’s founding — where Indigenous nations, European empires, and colonial revolutionaries all fought for sovereignty. This insightful talk explores how Indigenous resilience shaped the era and how the quest for independence carried complex consequences that still echo today.

This event is free and open to the public.

Location: Lewes Public Library

Opening Reception & Summer Exhibition

Heidi Lowe Gallery presents The CoinSmith, a solo exhibition by contemporary artist Stacey Lee Webber. Known for her historically inspired work, Webber transforms currency into thought-provoking pieces that explore culture, identity, and place. Her diverse practice includes coin cutting, embroidery, metal fabrication, weaving, and resin pouring.

For this exhibition, Webber will showcase a collection of wall pieces and wearable jewelry art that highlights and comments on the rich historical significance of Lewes. Visitors are invited to experience this unique body of work and explore how material, history, and craftsmanship intersect in her contemporary artistic voice.

Join the community for the opening reception or stop by throughout the summer to view the exhibition.

Event Details

• Solo exhibition by Stacey Lee Webber
• Wall pieces and wearable jewelry art
• Historical themes connected to Lewes
• Opening reception with artist
• Indoor gallery exhibition

Admission: Free Event

Roger Girke and The Wandering Souls

Rhythm and Blues

The Lewes Summer Concert Series is back for another season of live music, local talent, and community fun! Join us Tuesday evenings at Stango Park from June 3 through August 19, 2025, for free, family-friendly performances featuring a variety of genres—from country and jazz to rock, soul, and swing.

Bring a chair or blanket, pack your favorite snacks and drinks, and get ready to enjoy the sounds of summer under the Lewes sky. Dancing is absolutely encouraged!

In case of rain, concerts will be held indoors at Cape Henlopen High School.

Location: Stango Park, 101 Adams Ave, Lewes, DE

Rain Location: Cape Henlopen High School

Admission: Free | Family-Friendly | Bring a Chair or Blanket

Experience a taste of what Historic Lewes has to offer our community on First Fridays! Each month visit the Sussex Tavern for a colonial-inspired beverage, stop into the Lewistown Coffee-house for a taste of the Revolution, browse the Historic Lewes Antique Shop, listen to live music, take a tour, and enjoy stories from bygone times…all in the beautiful setting of our Historic Lewes Town Campus. Our community nights are FREE to attend!

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: Shipcarpenter Street

Summer farmers Market

Join us for the Summer Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your season gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: George H. P. Smith Memorial Park

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

Visit the encampment of an American Loyalist on the lawn of the Zwaanendael Museum. Visitors will meet our costumed historian portraying an officer of the Loyal American Regiment, and learn about the uniforms, equipment and life of a Loyalist from Lewes during the Revolutionary War.

Guest of all ages can also enjoy a free activity or craft, and visit the museum at no cost.

Details coming soon

Location: Stango Park, 101 Adams Ave, Lewes, DE

Rain Location: Cape Henlopen High School

Admission: Free | Family-Friendly | Bring a Chair or Blanket

Wednesday Market

Join us for the Wendesday Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: Crooked Hammock Parking Lot

Stay tuned for details!

Summer farmers Market

Join us for the Summer Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your season gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: George H. P. Smith Memorial Park

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

DE250 Concert: The Jazz Age in Lewes

Step back in time and experience the rhythm, style, and spirit of the Big Band era at this special DE250-sponsored community concert. Coastal Concerts, in partnership with the City of Lewes, presents a free evening at Stango Park celebrating life in Lewes from the 1920s through the 1950s.

Enjoy live music by the Delmarva Jazz Band, narration by City Council Person Trina Brown Hicks, and an atmosphere filled with dancing, vintage charm, and community connection. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs and settle in for a nostalgic summer evening honoring the music and culture of the Jazz Age.

This event is perfect for music lovers, history enthusiasts, families, and anyone looking to enjoy a lively night under the stars. Come celebrate Lewes’ heritage through sound, storytelling, and community spirit.This concert is funded, in part, by a grant from DE250.

Learn More

Website: www.coastalconcerts.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coastalconcerts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coastalconcertslewes/

Location: Stango Park, 101 Adams Ave, Lewes, DE

Rain Location: Cape Henlopen High School

Admission: Free | Family-Friendly | Bring a Chair or Blanket

Hosted By: Coastal Concerts in partnership with the City of Lewes

Wednesday Market

Join us for the Wendesday Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: Crooked Hammock Parking Lot

Each month the crew of the Lightship Overfalls hosts a Canal Side Happy Hour. These events allow us to shine a light on the ship and educate the community by opening the Overfalls to visitors at no cost. 

Bring a chair and join us for our May Canal Side Happy Hour. Relax, listen to the tunes of a local artist, enjoy a libation of your choice, and get to know your neighbors and visitors to our lovely town of Lewes.

Take a free tour and learn the important role that lightships and their sailors played in keeping our waterways safe for commercial shipping and private boaters. Our tour guides not only show visitors around the ship, but they describe what life was like working and living on a Lightship.

Visitors are also invited to view our Monomoy surf boat and tour our American Lightship

Shanty Night at the Sussex Tavern is a monthly event full of time travelling adventure! Join us every third Friday evening to experience epic singing, cheering, ranting and raving like true British sailors would.

The third Friday of every month.

Admission: Free, drinks not included.

Summer farmers Market

Join us for the Summer Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your season gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: George H. P. Smith Memorial Park

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

“Unique Hidden Gardens of Lewes”

The 35th Annual Lewes Garden Tour, presented by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, takes place on June 20th, 2026 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Eight private gardens are featured on the tour that includes artists painting in some of the gardens by the members of the Cape Artists. In addition to touring the gardens, a Garden Market in Zwaanendael Park has vendors selling garden-related items during the hours of the tour.

Also taking place in the park are Garden Lectures from Lewes in Bloom members offering presentations and displays.

To celebrate America’s 250 th , there will be American flags in blue pots with red and white flowers in front of each of the tour gardens.

Tickets to tour the private gardens are sold in advance for $30 that includes a map and descriptions of each of the gardens. On the day of the tour the price is $35.

The Garden Market and the Garden Lectures do not have a fee to attend.

Public parking in the vicinity of Zwaanendael Park is metered. The tour primarily attracts adults but children under 12 can tour for free, accompanied by adults. A food truck will be parked next to Zwaanendael Park and there are many restaurants within walking distance of the park.

Visit the encampment of an American Loyalist on the lawn of the Zwaanendael Museum. Visitors will meet our costumed historian portraying an officer of the Loyal American Regiment, and learn about the uniforms, equipment and life of a Loyalist from Lewes during the Revolutionary War.

Guest of all ages can also enjoy a free activity or craft, and visit the museum at no cost.

Details coming soon

Location: Stango Park, 101 Adams Ave, Lewes, DE

Rain Location: Cape Henlopen High School

Admission: Free | Family-Friendly | Bring a Chair or Blanket

Wednesday Market

Join us for the Wendesday Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: Crooked Hammock Parking Lot

The Overfalls Fishin’ Kids youth program provides an introduction to fishing for children between the ages of 5 and 13. Attendees will be taught how to bait a hook, retrieve a fish gently, and the etiquette of fishing while they cast their lines into the Lewes Canal from the docks near the Lightship. In addition, they will learn the historic significance fishing has played in the history of Lewes. While a limited number of fishing poles will be available for lending, attendees are encouraged to bring their own.

Summer farmers Market

Join us for the Summer Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your season gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: George H. P. Smith Memorial Park

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

Details coming soon

Location: Stango Park, 101 Adams Ave, Lewes, DE

Rain Location: Cape Henlopen High School

Admission: Free | Family-Friendly | Bring a Chair or Blanket

Wednesday Market

Join us for the Wendesday Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: Crooked Hammock Parking Lot

Visit the encampment of an American Loyalist on the lawn of the Zwaanendael Museum. Visitors will meet our costumed historian portraying an officer of the Loyal American Regiment, and learn about the uniforms, equipment and life of a Loyalist from Lewes during the Revolutionary War.

Guest of all ages can also enjoy a free activity or craft, and visit the museum at no cost.

The time for this event is being finalized, stay tuned!

Join historian Ron Collins for an in-depth lecture exploring the origins, meaning, and enduring influence of the Declaration of Independence. On the eve of America’s birthday, Collins reflects on the revolutionary ideas that shaped the nation and the ongoing pursuit of freedom and equality that continues to define our democracy.

This event is free and open to the public.

Location: Lewes Public Library

Experience a taste of what Historic Lewes has to offer our community on First Fridays! Each month visit the Sussex Tavern for a colonial-inspired beverage, stop into the Lewistown Coffee-house for a taste of the Revolution, browse the Historic Lewes Antique Shop, listen to live music, take a tour, and enjoy stories from bygone times…all in the beautiful setting of our Historic Lewes Town Campus. Our community nights are FREE to attend!

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: Shipcarpenter Street

Summer farmers Market

Join us for the Summer Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your season gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: George H. P. Smith Memorial Park

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

Stay tuned for exciting details!

Sundays | July 5, 2026 – August 23, 2026 from 1:00 – 5:00 PM

To celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary in 2026, the historic Maull House in Lewes, Delaware will host special summer tours highlighting the town’s deep maritime roots and Revolutionary-era stories.

About the Tours

Step back into the 18th century at one of the oldest surviving structures in Lewes, built circa 1739. As part of the Lewes 250 yearlong celebration, these guided tours will explore the maritime residents and untold stories that helped shape the First Town in the First State.

Tour highlights include:

• Maritime Heritage
  Learn about the Delaware Bay and River Pilots who once lived at the Maull House, including Luke Shields, Sr., and generations of the Maull family whose livelihoods were tied to the water.

• Historic Architecture
  Explore the 1½-story cypress-frame dwelling featuring its original gambrel roof and foundation stones believed to have been used as ship ballast.

• Diverse & Revolutionary Stories
  Discover the lives of the many individuals—often overlooked or marginalized—who supported the patriot cause and contributed to daily life during the Revolutionary era.

Chapter Involvement

These tours are presented by the Colonel David Hall Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, stewards of the Maull House since 1959. The chapter has played a vital role in preserving this historic site and sharing Lewes’s Revolutionary-era history with the community.

Admission is free. Donations supporting the continued preservation of the Maull House are welcome.

Details coming soon

Location: Stango Park, 101 Adams Ave, Lewes, DE

Rain Location: Cape Henlopen High School

Admission: Free | Family-Friendly | Bring a Chair or Blanket

Wednesday Market

Join us for the Wendesday Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: Crooked Hammock Parking Lot

Stay tuned for details!

Summer farmers Market

Join us for the Summer Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your season gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: George H. P. Smith Memorial Park

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

Sundays | July 5, 2026 – August 23, 2026 from 1:00 – 5:00 PM

To celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary in 2026, the historic Maull House in Lewes, Delaware will host special summer tours highlighting the town’s deep maritime roots and Revolutionary-era stories.

About the Tours

Step back into the 18th century at one of the oldest surviving structures in Lewes, built circa 1739. As part of the Lewes 250 yearlong celebration, these guided tours will explore the maritime residents and untold stories that helped shape the First Town in the First State.

Tour highlights include:

• Maritime Heritage
  Learn about the Delaware Bay and River Pilots who once lived at the Maull House, including Luke Shields, Sr., and generations of the Maull family whose livelihoods were tied to the water.

• Historic Architecture
  Explore the 1½-story cypress-frame dwelling featuring its original gambrel roof and foundation stones believed to have been used as ship ballast.

• Diverse & Revolutionary Stories
  Discover the lives of the many individuals—often overlooked or marginalized—who supported the patriot cause and contributed to daily life during the Revolutionary era.

Chapter Involvement

These tours are presented by the Colonel David Hall Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, stewards of the Maull House since 1959. The chapter has played a vital role in preserving this historic site and sharing Lewes’s Revolutionary-era history with the community.

Admission is free. Donations supporting the continued preservation of the Maull House are welcome.

Details coming soon

Location: Stango Park, 101 Adams Ave, Lewes, DE

Rain Location: Cape Henlopen High School

Admission: Free | Family-Friendly | Bring a Chair or Blanket

Wednesday Market

Join us for the Wendesday Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: Crooked Hammock Parking Lot

The Overfalls Sail-Away Day youth program provides an introduction to sailing for children 5 years of age and older. Attendees will learn the history of sailing and how sailing has affected our local history in Lewes and the Delaware Bay. The inside and decks of beautiful yachts that compete in local and open ocean races will be available for touring. Meet and hear stories from some of the “Saltiest” sailors in Delaware, including one of the most impressive female sailors in the country. Learn how sails are raised and lowered and changed to maximize speed when racing in a regatta, and how lines and halyards are used. The Lewes Yacht Club will bring one of their training sailboats and talk about how to attend their sailing school.

Each month the crew of the Lightship Overfalls hosts a Canal Side Happy Hour. These events allow us to shine a light on the ship and educate the community by opening the Overfalls to visitors at no cost. 

Bring a chair and join us for our May Canal Side Happy Hour. Relax, listen to the tunes of a local artist, enjoy a libation of your choice, and get to know your neighbors and visitors to our lovely town of Lewes.

Take a free tour and learn the important role that lightships and their sailors played in keeping our waterways safe for commercial shipping and private boaters. Our tour guides not only show visitors around the ship, but they describe what life was like working and living on a Lightship.

Visitors are also invited to view our Monomoy surf boat and tour our American Lightship

Shanty Night at the Sussex Tavern is a monthly event full of time travelling adventure! Join us every third Friday evening to experience epic singing, cheering, ranting and raving like true British sailors would.

The third Friday of every month.

Admission: Free, drinks not included.

Summer farmers Market

Join us for the Summer Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your season gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: George H. P. Smith Memorial Park

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

Visit the encampment of an American Loyalist on the lawn of the Zwaanendael Museum. Visitors will meet our costumed historian portraying an officer of the Loyal American Regiment, and learn about the uniforms, equipment and life of a Loyalist from Lewes during the Revolutionary War.

Guest of all ages can also enjoy a free activity or craft, and visit the museum at no cost.

Sundays | July 5, 2026 – August 23, 2026 from 1:00 – 5:00 PM

To celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary in 2026, the historic Maull House in Lewes, Delaware will host special summer tours highlighting the town’s deep maritime roots and Revolutionary-era stories.

About the Tours

Step back into the 18th century at one of the oldest surviving structures in Lewes, built circa 1739. As part of the Lewes 250 yearlong celebration, these guided tours will explore the maritime residents and untold stories that helped shape the First Town in the First State.

Tour highlights include:

• Maritime Heritage
  Learn about the Delaware Bay and River Pilots who once lived at the Maull House, including Luke Shields, Sr., and generations of the Maull family whose livelihoods were tied to the water.

• Historic Architecture
  Explore the 1½-story cypress-frame dwelling featuring its original gambrel roof and foundation stones believed to have been used as ship ballast.

• Diverse & Revolutionary Stories
  Discover the lives of the many individuals—often overlooked or marginalized—who supported the patriot cause and contributed to daily life during the Revolutionary era.

Chapter Involvement

These tours are presented by the Colonel David Hall Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, stewards of the Maull House since 1959. The chapter has played a vital role in preserving this historic site and sharing Lewes’s Revolutionary-era history with the community.

Admission is free. Donations supporting the continued preservation of the Maull House are welcome.

Details coming soon

Location: Stango Park, 101 Adams Ave, Lewes, DE

Rain Location: Cape Henlopen High School

Admission: Free | Family-Friendly | Bring a Chair or Blanket

Wednesday Market

Join us for the Wendesday Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: Crooked Hammock Parking Lot

Summer farmers Market

Join us for the Summer Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your season gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: George H. P. Smith Memorial Park

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

Sundays | July 5, 2026 – August 23, 2026 from 1:00 – 5:00 PM

To celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary in 2026, the historic Maull House in Lewes, Delaware will host special summer tours highlighting the town’s deep maritime roots and Revolutionary-era stories.

About the Tours

Step back into the 18th century at one of the oldest surviving structures in Lewes, built circa 1739. As part of the Lewes 250 yearlong celebration, these guided tours will explore the maritime residents and untold stories that helped shape the First Town in the First State.

Tour highlights include:

• Maritime Heritage
  Learn about the Delaware Bay and River Pilots who once lived at the Maull House, including Luke Shields, Sr., and generations of the Maull family whose livelihoods were tied to the water.

• Historic Architecture
  Explore the 1½-story cypress-frame dwelling featuring its original gambrel roof and foundation stones believed to have been used as ship ballast.

• Diverse & Revolutionary Stories
  Discover the lives of the many individuals—often overlooked or marginalized—who supported the patriot cause and contributed to daily life during the Revolutionary era.

Chapter Involvement

These tours are presented by the Colonel David Hall Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, stewards of the Maull House since 1959. The chapter has played a vital role in preserving this historic site and sharing Lewes’s Revolutionary-era history with the community.

Admission is free. Donations supporting the continued preservation of the Maull House are welcome.

Details coming soon

Location: Stango Park, 101 Adams Ave, Lewes, DE

Rain Location: Cape Henlopen High School

Admission: Free | Family-Friendly | Bring a Chair or Blanket

Wednesday Market

Join us for the Wendesday Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: Crooked Hammock Parking Lot

Summer farmers Market

Join us for the Summer Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your season gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: George H. P. Smith Memorial Park

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

Sundays | July 5, 2026 – August 23, 2026 from 1:00 – 5:00 PM

To celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary in 2026, the historic Maull House in Lewes, Delaware will host special summer tours highlighting the town’s deep maritime roots and Revolutionary-era stories.

About the Tours

Step back into the 18th century at one of the oldest surviving structures in Lewes, built circa 1739. As part of the Lewes 250 yearlong celebration, these guided tours will explore the maritime residents and untold stories that helped shape the First Town in the First State.

Tour highlights include:

• Maritime Heritage
  Learn about the Delaware Bay and River Pilots who once lived at the Maull House, including Luke Shields, Sr., and generations of the Maull family whose livelihoods were tied to the water.

• Historic Architecture
  Explore the 1½-story cypress-frame dwelling featuring its original gambrel roof and foundation stones believed to have been used as ship ballast.

• Diverse & Revolutionary Stories
  Discover the lives of the many individuals—often overlooked or marginalized—who supported the patriot cause and contributed to daily life during the Revolutionary era.

Chapter Involvement

These tours are presented by the Colonel David Hall Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, stewards of the Maull House since 1959. The chapter has played a vital role in preserving this historic site and sharing Lewes’s Revolutionary-era history with the community.

Admission is free. Donations supporting the continued preservation of the Maull House are welcome.

Join the Lewes Police Department for a fun-filled Community Night Out—a free evening of music, connection, and community spirit! Enjoy live music from a local DJ, meet your neighborhood officers, and take part in family-friendly activities designed to bring the community together.

Bring your chairs, friends, and good vibes for a summer night celebrating safety, unity, and hometown pride.

Location: Block House Pond (Smith Park), Lewes, DE

Admission: Free | Family-Friendly | Bring a Chair or Blanket

Details coming soon

Location: Stango Park, 101 Adams Ave, Lewes, DE

Rain Location: Cape Henlopen High School

Admission: Free | Family-Friendly | Bring a Chair or Blanket

Wednesday Market

Join us for the Wendesday Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: Crooked Hammock Parking Lot

Experience a taste of what Historic Lewes has to offer our community on First Fridays! Each month visit the Sussex Tavern for a colonial-inspired beverage, stop into the Lewistown Coffee-house for a taste of the Revolution, browse the Historic Lewes Antique Shop, listen to live music, take a tour, and enjoy stories from bygone times…all in the beautiful setting of our Historic Lewes Town Campus. Our community nights are FREE to attend!

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: Shipcarpenter Street

Summer farmers Market

Join us for the Summer Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your season gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: George H. P. Smith Memorial Park

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

Visit the encampment of an American Loyalist on the lawn of the Zwaanendael Museum. Visitors will meet our costumed historian portraying an officer of the Loyal American Regiment, and learn about the uniforms, equipment and life of a Loyalist from Lewes during the Revolutionary War.

Guest of all ages can also enjoy a free activity or craft, and visit the museum at no cost.

Sundays | July 5, 2026 – August 23, 2026 from 1:00 – 5:00 PM

To celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary in 2026, the historic Maull House in Lewes, Delaware will host special summer tours highlighting the town’s deep maritime roots and Revolutionary-era stories.

About the Tours

Step back into the 18th century at one of the oldest surviving structures in Lewes, built circa 1739. As part of the Lewes 250 yearlong celebration, these guided tours will explore the maritime residents and untold stories that helped shape the First Town in the First State.

Tour highlights include:

• Maritime Heritage
  Learn about the Delaware Bay and River Pilots who once lived at the Maull House, including Luke Shields, Sr., and generations of the Maull family whose livelihoods were tied to the water.

• Historic Architecture
  Explore the 1½-story cypress-frame dwelling featuring its original gambrel roof and foundation stones believed to have been used as ship ballast.

• Diverse & Revolutionary Stories
  Discover the lives of the many individuals—often overlooked or marginalized—who supported the patriot cause and contributed to daily life during the Revolutionary era.

Chapter Involvement

These tours are presented by the Colonel David Hall Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, stewards of the Maull House since 1959. The chapter has played a vital role in preserving this historic site and sharing Lewes’s Revolutionary-era history with the community.

Admission is free. Donations supporting the continued preservation of the Maull House are welcome.

Details Coming soon

Location: Stango Park, 101 Adams Ave, Lewes, DE

Rain Location: Cape Henlopen High School

Admission: Free | Family-Friendly | Bring a Chair or Blanket

Wednesday Market

Join us for the Wendesday Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: Crooked Hammock Parking Lot

Stay tuned for details!

Summer farmers Market

Join us for the Summer Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your season gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: George H. P. Smith Memorial Park

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

Sundays | July 5, 2026 – August 23, 2026 from 1:00 – 5:00 PM

To celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary in 2026, the historic Maull House in Lewes, Delaware will host special summer tours highlighting the town’s deep maritime roots and Revolutionary-era stories.

About the Tours

Step back into the 18th century at one of the oldest surviving structures in Lewes, built circa 1739. As part of the Lewes 250 yearlong celebration, these guided tours will explore the maritime residents and untold stories that helped shape the First Town in the First State.

Tour highlights include:

• Maritime Heritage
  Learn about the Delaware Bay and River Pilots who once lived at the Maull House, including Luke Shields, Sr., and generations of the Maull family whose livelihoods were tied to the water.

• Historic Architecture
  Explore the 1½-story cypress-frame dwelling featuring its original gambrel roof and foundation stones believed to have been used as ship ballast.

• Diverse & Revolutionary Stories
  Discover the lives of the many individuals—often overlooked or marginalized—who supported the patriot cause and contributed to daily life during the Revolutionary era.

Chapter Involvement

These tours are presented by the Colonel David Hall Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, stewards of the Maull House since 1959. The chapter has played a vital role in preserving this historic site and sharing Lewes’s Revolutionary-era history with the community.

Admission is free. Donations supporting the continued preservation of the Maull House are welcome.

Details coming soon

Location: Stango Park, 101 Adams Ave, Lewes, DE

Rain Location: Cape Henlopen High School

Admission: Free | Family-Friendly | Bring a Chair or Blanket

Wednesday Market

Join us for the Wendesday Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: Crooked Hammock Parking Lot

Knots are used for sailing, boating, fishing, surgery, rock climbing, camping, packing, shipping, decorating, and many more important activities. Knots may be made from a variety of different materials including rope, cord, twine, yarn, and thread. The Overfalls Why Knot youth program provides an understanding of the importance of knot tying to children 5 years of age and older. Participants will each receive a three foot piece of ‘pet rope’ sailboat line and taught how to tie a variety of basic knots and when to use each type on knot. They will then be taken onto the historic Lightship Overfalls to learn how and where these knots are used on a ship.

Each month the crew of the Lightship Overfalls hosts a Canal Side Happy Hour. These events allow us to shine a light on the ship and educate the community by opening the Overfalls to visitors at no cost. 

Bring a chair and join us for our May Canal Side Happy Hour. Relax, listen to the tunes of a local artist, enjoy a libation of your choice, and get to know your neighbors and visitors to our lovely town of Lewes.

Take a free tour and learn the important role that lightships and their sailors played in keeping our waterways safe for commercial shipping and private boaters. Our tour guides not only show visitors around the ship, but they describe what life was like working and living on a Lightship.

Visitors are also invited to view our Monomoy surf boat and tour our American Lightship

Shanty Night at the Sussex Tavern is a monthly event full of time travelling adventure! Join us every third Friday evening to experience epic singing, cheering, ranting and raving like true British sailors would.

The third Friday of every month.

Admission: Free, drinks not included.

Summer farmers Market

Join us for the Summer Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your season gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: George H. P. Smith Memorial Park

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

Visit the encampment of an American Loyalist on the lawn of the Zwaanendael Museum. Visitors will meet our costumed historian portraying an officer of the Loyal American Regiment, and learn about the uniforms, equipment and life of a Loyalist from Lewes during the Revolutionary War.

Guest of all ages can also enjoy a free activity or craft, and visit the museum at no cost.

Sundays | July 5, 2026 – August 23, 2026 from 1:00 – 5:00 PM

To celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary in 2026, the historic Maull House in Lewes, Delaware will host special summer tours highlighting the town’s deep maritime roots and Revolutionary-era stories.

About the Tours

Step back into the 18th century at one of the oldest surviving structures in Lewes, built circa 1739. As part of the Lewes 250 yearlong celebration, these guided tours will explore the maritime residents and untold stories that helped shape the First Town in the First State.

Tour highlights include:

• Maritime Heritage
  Learn about the Delaware Bay and River Pilots who once lived at the Maull House, including Luke Shields, Sr., and generations of the Maull family whose livelihoods were tied to the water.

• Historic Architecture
  Explore the 1½-story cypress-frame dwelling featuring its original gambrel roof and foundation stones believed to have been used as ship ballast.

• Diverse & Revolutionary Stories
  Discover the lives of the many individuals—often overlooked or marginalized—who supported the patriot cause and contributed to daily life during the Revolutionary era.

Chapter Involvement

These tours are presented by the Colonel David Hall Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, stewards of the Maull House since 1959. The chapter has played a vital role in preserving this historic site and sharing Lewes’s Revolutionary-era history with the community.

Admission is free. Donations supporting the continued preservation of the Maull House are welcome.

Wednesday Market

Join us for the Wendesday Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: Crooked Hammock Parking Lot

Summer farmers Market

Join us for the Summer Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your season gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: George H. P. Smith Memorial Park

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

Wednesday Market

Join us for the Wendesday Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: Crooked Hammock Parking Lot

Experience a taste of what Historic Lewes has to offer our community on First Fridays! Each month visit the Sussex Tavern for a colonial-inspired beverage, stop into the Lewistown Coffee-house for a taste of the Revolution, browse the Historic Lewes Antique Shop, listen to live music, take a tour, and enjoy stories from bygone times…all in the beautiful setting of our Historic Lewes Town Campus. Our community nights are FREE to attend!

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: Shipcarpenter Street

Summer farmers Market

Join us for the Summer Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your season gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: George H. P. Smith Memorial Park

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

Visit the encampment of an American Loyalist on the lawn of the Zwaanendael Museum. Visitors will meet our costumed historian portraying an officer of the Loyal American Regiment, and learn about the uniforms, equipment and life of a Loyalist from Lewes during the Revolutionary War.

Guest of all ages can also enjoy a free activity or craft, and visit the museum at no cost.

Wednesday Market

Join us for the Wendesday Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: Crooked Hammock Parking Lot

Stay tuned for details!

A Conversation with Justices Traynor and Griffiths

The time for this event is being finalized, stay tuned!

Delaware’s 1776 Declaration of Rights was a bold statement of independence — one that laid the groundwork for the state’s identity and governance. In this engaging discussion, Delaware Supreme Court Justices Collins J. Seitz Jr. and Karen L. Valihura (if you’d like to confirm the exact justices, I can update) — or simply “Justices Traynor and Griffiths” — reflect on the historical and legal significance of this early document and its lasting influence on Delaware’s laws and civic ideals.

This event is free and open to the public.

Location: Lewes Public Library

Summer farmers Market

Join us for the Summer Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your season gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: George H. P. Smith Memorial Park

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

Each month the crew of the Lightship Overfalls hosts a Canal Side Happy Hour. These events allow us to shine a light on the ship and educate the community by opening the Overfalls to visitors at no cost. 

Bring a chair and join us for our May Canal Side Happy Hour. Relax, listen to the tunes of a local artist, enjoy a libation of your choice, and get to know your neighbors and visitors to our lovely town of Lewes.

Take a free tour and learn the important role that lightships and their sailors played in keeping our waterways safe for commercial shipping and private boaters. Our tour guides not only show visitors around the ship, but they describe what life was like working and living on a Lightship.

Visitors are also invited to view our Monomoy surf boat and tour our American Lightship

Shanty Night at the Sussex Tavern is a monthly event full of time travelling adventure! Join us every third Friday evening to experience epic singing, cheering, ranting and raving like true British sailors would.

The third Friday of every month.

Admission: Free, drinks not included.

Summer farmers Market

Join us for the Summer Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your season gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: George H. P. Smith Memorial Park

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

Visit the encampment of an American Loyalist on the lawn of the Zwaanendael Museum. Visitors will meet our costumed historian portraying an officer of the Loyal American Regiment, and learn about the uniforms, equipment and life of a Loyalist from Lewes during the Revolutionary War.

Guest of all ages can also enjoy a free activity or craft, and visit the museum at no cost.

The spotlight is coming to Lewes.

Broadway in the Park will celebrate the songs, stories, and show-stopping moments that have defined Broadway through the years, all as part of the Lewes 250 celebration.

From timeless classics to modern favorites, this community event promises an afternoon filled with music, energy, and a little theatrical magic under the open sky.

Full details are coming soon.

Be sure to check back and sign up for the Lewes 250 newsletter so you don’t miss casting announcements, special features, and event updates.

A Rolling Piece of American History Comes to Lewes

Step back in time as the Antique Auto Revival Glidden Tour rolls into Lewes this September.

This nationally recognized tour brings beautifully preserved pre–World War II automobiles through coastal Delaware as part of a 5-day, 500-mile journey celebrating the history and evolution of the American automobile.

Event Details

September 21 & 22, 2026
All Day

Locations Across Lewes:
Lightship Overfalls
Historic Lewes Complex
Fort Miles

What to Expect

Over the course of two days, approximately 150 vintage vehicles will make their way through Lewes as part of this historic tour.

• Classic cars (pre-WWII) on display throughout town

• Rotating locations between Overfalls, Historic Lewes, and Fort Miles

• Ferry crossings between Lewes and Cape May

• Opportunities to see all participating vehicles across both days

Each day brings a unique experience as groups rotate between locations—so no matter when you attend, there’s always something new to see.

A Tour with History

The Glidden Tour dates back to 1903, originally created to prove the reliability and practicality of early automobiles.

It was revived in 1946 and continues today as a celebration of automotive history, preservation, and craftsmanship.

The event is hosted in partnership with the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA), a nonprofit organization with over 55,000 members dedicated to preserving and showcasing vehicles more than 25 years old.

Plan Your Visit

Free to attend

With multiple locations and rotating vehicle groups, we recommend exploring more than one stop to experience the full tour.

Whether you’re a lifelong car enthusiast or just love a unique local event, this is a rare chance to see history in motion—right here in Lewes.

For more information on the tour and organization:
AACA – Antique Automobile Club of America – AACA – Antique Automobile Club of America

A Rolling Piece of American History Comes to Lewes

Step back in time as the Antique Auto Revival Glidden Tour rolls into Lewes this September.

This nationally recognized tour brings beautifully preserved pre–World War II automobiles through coastal Delaware as part of a 5-day, 500-mile journey celebrating the history and evolution of the American automobile.

Event Details

September 21 & 22, 2026
All Day

Locations Across Lewes:
Lightship Overfalls
Historic Lewes Complex
Fort Miles

What to Expect

Over the course of two days, approximately 150 vintage vehicles will make their way through Lewes as part of this historic tour.

• Classic cars (pre-WWII) on display throughout town

• Rotating locations between Overfalls, Historic Lewes, and Fort Miles

• Ferry crossings between Lewes and Cape May

• Opportunities to see all participating vehicles across both days

Each day brings a unique experience as groups rotate between locations—so no matter when you attend, there’s always something new to see.

A Tour with History

The Glidden Tour dates back to 1903, originally created to prove the reliability and practicality of early automobiles.

It was revived in 1946 and continues today as a celebration of automotive history, preservation, and craftsmanship.

The event is hosted in partnership with the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA), a nonprofit organization with over 55,000 members dedicated to preserving and showcasing vehicles more than 25 years old.

Plan Your Visit

Free to attend

With multiple locations and rotating vehicle groups, we recommend exploring more than one stop to experience the full tour.

Whether you’re a lifelong car enthusiast or just love a unique local event, this is a rare chance to see history in motion—right here in Lewes.

For more information on the tour and organization:
AACA – Antique Automobile Club of America – AACA – Antique Automobile Club of America

Come “find your place in history” with us at the History Book Festival, celebrating a weekend and beyond of learning, inspiration, and community!

The History Book Festival is the only book festival dedicated to history through story, showcasing new historical fiction and narrative nonfiction from multiple subjects, eras, and voices. Over 90% of HBF’s author presentations are free and open to all, drawing readers from 30 states and abroad to this singular event at the Delaware beaches in historic Lewes. HBF authors also visit classrooms in Delaware, from preschool to college. HBF provides their books to schools, libraries, and community organizations, engaging and inspiring people of all ages to read, think, and talk about history.

Sign up forHBF’s eNews here: https://www.historybookfestival.org/subscribe

Location: The festival takes place at various locations in Lewes, Delaware.

Time: Details Coming Soon

Summer farmers Market

Join us for the Summer Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your season gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: George H. P. Smith Memorial Park

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

Come “find your place in history” with us at the History Book Festival, celebrating a weekend and beyond of learning, inspiration, and community!

The History Book Festival is the only book festival dedicated to history through story, showcasing new historical fiction and narrative nonfiction from multiple subjects, eras, and voices. Over 90% of HBF’s author presentations are free and open to all, drawing readers from 30 states and abroad to this singular event at the Delaware beaches in historic Lewes. HBF authors also visit classrooms in Delaware, from preschool to college. HBF provides their books to schools, libraries, and community organizations, engaging and inspiring people of all ages to read, think, and talk about history.

Saturday, September 26 features free presentations by HBF authors. The Keynote and Closing events are ticketed. HBF eNews subscribers get early access to 2026 Keynote and Closing event tickets in late June, along with a first look at the other 2026 books/authors. Keynote and Closing events will be announced to the general public in early July, if tickets remain.

Sign up forHBF’s eNews here: https://www.historybookfestival.org/subscribe

Location: The festival takes place at various locations in Lewes, Delaware.

Time: Details Coming Soon

Come “find your place in history” with us at the History Book Festival, celebrating a weekend and beyond of learning, inspiration, and community!

The History Book Festival is the only book festival dedicated to history through story, showcasing new historical fiction and narrative nonfiction from multiple subjects, eras, and voices. Over 90% of HBF’s author presentations are free and open to all, drawing readers from 30 states and abroad to this singular event at the Delaware beaches in historic Lewes. HBF authors also visit classrooms in Delaware, from preschool to college. HBF provides their books to schools, libraries, and community organizations, engaging and inspiring people of all ages to read, think, and talk about history.

Sign up forHBF’s eNews here: https://www.historybookfestival.org/subscribe

Location: The festival takes place at various locations in Lewes, Delaware.

Time: Details Coming Soon

Experience a taste of what Historic Lewes has to offer our community on First Fridays! Each month visit the Sussex Tavern for a colonial-inspired beverage, stop into the Lewistown Coffee-house for a taste of the Revolution, browse the Historic Lewes Antique Shop, listen to live music, take a tour, and enjoy stories from bygone times…all in the beautiful setting of our Historic Lewes Town Campus. Our community nights are FREE to attend!

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: Shipcarpenter Street

Fall Market

Join us for the Fall Market with the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, featuring local farmers growers, and makers. Stock up on seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more—just in time for your autumn gatherings. Enjoy community spirit, fresh flavors, and the charm of Lewes’ local agriculture as we celebrate the harvest season.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) is a nonprofit organization that manages community-based, producer-only farmers markets. Started in the summer of 2006 by a group of volunteers, the Market has expanded to 40 plus vendors.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Location: Lewes Elementary School Parking

Website: https://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org

Visit the encampment of an American Loyalist on the lawn of the Zwaanendael Museum. Visitors will meet our costumed historian portraying an officer of the Loyal American Regiment, and learn about the uniforms, equipment and life of a Loyalist from Lewes during the Revolutionary War.

Guest of all ages can also enjoy a free activity or craft, and visit the museum at no cost.

Boast the Coast Maritime Festival celebrates Lewes’ Historic and Nautical Heritage. Dutch seamen landed in Lewes in 1631 and established the first settlement. Consequently, Lewes is known as the “First Town in the First State.”

This year’s Boast the Coast, hosted by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, takes place on Saturday, October 3 with free activities in 1812 Park from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. We’ll celebrate America’s 250 th by giving away free flags to the first 100 attendees. 1812 Park overlooks the Lewes Rehoboth Canal with a public dock adjacent to the park.

On the day of the event, Freedom Boat Club offers free boat rides on the canal, giving attendees an opportunity to see Lewes from a different perspective. Free facepainting and musical entertainment also take place in the park. Cape Water Tours offers an hour-long, ticketed Nautical History Tour. Both the History Tour and the Freedom Boat rides depart from the City Dock.

There are other activities in Lewes associated with Boast the Coast including free tours of the Lightship Overfalls and the Lewes Historical Society’s Cannonball House, both a short walk from 1812 Park.

Parking at 1812 Park and the historic business district is metered.

Parking at the Lightship Overfalls is free.

There are no food trucks at Boast the Coast but there are numerous restaurants within walking distance of the activities.

The following day, the University of Delaware hosts Coast Day, also a nautically-themed event, offering activities at their Lewes campus. The University and the Lewes Chamber jointly market the two events as a Maritime Weekend. Coast Day has food trucks.