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.