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Walking Tours

The Lewes Historical Society celebrates over 50 years of embracing Lewes’ history by offering multiple tour options to the public. Discover historic destinations downtown, learn intriguing facts about our region’s maritime history, and experience history as it comes alive. Find out about our lighthouses, cemeteries, historic architecture, maritime monuments, and more.

Online tickets are available for purchase now by clicking the button below.

All Walking Tour tickets Include FREE Admission to the Lewes Historical Society's Historic Campus Buildings and Grounds.

All walking tours (except the "Finding Their Voices" tour and Haunted Histories) leave from Ryves Holt House located at 218 Second Street, in Lewes, Delaware, 19958 on the corner of Second & Mulberry Streets. 

The "Finding Their Voices" and Haunted Histories tours start at the 110 Shipcarpenter Street Historic Campus.  

Please note: Tours often sell out quickly. Pre-registration is required for all tours and closes 30 minutes before the start time.


 
Lewes History Highlights Walking Tour

Short on time but keen on history?  Explore key moments in Lewes' 300-year story that shaped the character of this First Town in the First State in this daily 45-minute spotlight tour!  Running Tuesday-Saturdays* beginning on April 2, 2024, this guided tour meets in the Sussex Tavern building on the LHS Historic Shipcarpenter Street Campus (110 Shipcarpenter St.) at 11 a.m.  Tickets are $10 per person, $5 for children 12 and under, and must be purchased before the tour's scheduled start time at the Sussex Tavern.  

When:  11 a.m. on Tuesday-Saturdays, beginning on April 2, 2024*.

Where:  The Sussex Tavern building on the LHS Historic Shipcarpenter Street Campus (110 Shipcarpenter St.)

Admission: $10 per person, $5 for children 12 and under, and must be purchased before the tour's scheduled start time at the Sussex Tavern

*select holiday and special event blackout dates apply


 

Haunted Histories Paranormal Investigations - NEW 2024 Dates Now Scheduled

NOTE:  Due to the intimate nature of the investigations, registration is limited - get your tickets now!

Book Haunted Histories

Haunted Histories echo through time and Lewes is full of these eerie accounts. During this two-hour investigation, Lewes Historical Society and First State Paranormal Investigations invite you to hear the true tales of long-ago residents. This educational experience with a ghostly twist is not to be missed!

Begins from the LHS Historic Main Campus at 110 Shipcarpenter Street.

Flashlights are recommended.  Personal paranormal equipment is welcome but not needed, equipment will be provided to share. 
This is an outdoor walking tour, please plan to dress appropriately for the weather. 

When: 8 p.m. -10:00 p.m.
Friday, January 26
Friday, February 23
Friday, March 22
Friday, April 19
Saturday, May 11
Friday, May 31
Friday, June 28
Friday, September 27
Friday, October 18

The date below runs through the witching hour, join us if you dare!
10 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2024

Where: Tour begins at the Lewes Historical Society's main campus located at 110 Shipcarpenter Street.                                                                                                        
Admission: $35 per adult
30 people max per investigation. Attendees must be 13 years or older to participate. 

 


 

History in Bloom 

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Each 60-minute tour will be led by a historic guide from the Lewes Historical Society and will provide information on Lewes’ rich maritime history from its founding by the Dutch in 1631 to our present-day Lewes community, demonstrating that “the First Town in the First State” has much to offer. A knowledgeable garden guide from Lewes in Bloom will also be on your tour to inform visitors of the tulip varieties and gardening care of other flora lining Lewes’s streets. Tours depart from the Cannonball House Rear Garden behind 118 Front Street.  

The tours are limited to 15 individuals per tour. Reservations are required.

April 13, and 14, 2024
Saturday and Sunday

10:30 AM
12:30 PM
2:30 PM

$10.00 per person
$5.00  12 and under


Lewes Legends Evening Walking Tour

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Lewes is rich with historic happenings, legends, and tall tales. This 90-minute walking tour will introduce you to stories of strange happenings in the town of Lewes. Enter the Cannonball House Maritime Museum after hours and hear heroic accounts of maritime history, and an eerie occurrence or two.

Dates from April through October

When: 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Wednesdays and Sundays. Additionally every Thursday in October.

Where: Tour begins at the Ryves Holt House Museum & Mercantile (218 2nd St.)

Admission: $15 per adult, $5 for children 12 and under. Children under eight years old are discouraged from attending.


 

 Revolutionary Lewes Walking Tour

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With its prominent place on Delaware Bay, Lewes was an unlikely hotbed of activity during the War for Independence. Discover how ideals and loyalties divided the town and visit sites that bore witness to the revolutionary drama in this one-hour guided tour.


When:  Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 2nd & 4th Fridays at 6 p.m.
Where:  Tour begins at the Ryves Holt House Museum & Mercantile (218 2nd St.)
Admission: $15 per person, $5 for children 12 and under.

Visit the Historic Shipcarpenter Street Campus (110 Shipcarpenter St.) The Historic Campus is home to nine historic structures, relocated from all over Sussex County. Visit the Sussex Tavern a 1770s-inspired local gathering place along with the Lewistown Coffee-house.


Artifact Highlight 

Join a member of our dedicated team on the third Wednesday of each month for a special highlight of artifacts preserved in the Lewes Historical Society's Collections. Artifact Highlight Tours are held at the Lewes History Museum (101 Adams Ave.) at 1 p.m. Short versions are also released on TikTok and Facebook within 24 hours!

 

 boot From Delaware Beach Life Magazine


Field Trips & Group Tours

tours fieldtrips groupsField trips can be arranged year-round to show the highlights of Lewes in a meaningful context.

Groups of 8 or more guests are considered large group tours and we ask that you contact us for tour options so that we can best meet your group's needs.

For additional information, please call 302-645-7670.



Our Mission

The Lewes Historical Society promotes and advocates the preservation, interpretation and cultural enrichment of the Lewes region, through museum exhibits, educational programs, historical research and publications.

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