"The Landing of the DeVries Colony at Swanendael, Lewes, Delaware 1631." by Stanley Arthurs. Courtesy Permanent Collection of the University of Delaware.

In 1609 Henry Hudson sailed into Delaware Bay and discovered a thriving indigenous culture that had lived on the shores of Cape Henlopen for thousands of years. Twenty-two years later, the Dutch West India Company established there a small whaling settlement named Swanendael. That colony on the shores of lower Delaware Bay lay abandoned for several months before one lone sailing ship discovered the tragic remains of the first settlement in Delaware.

With such an exciting story at its heart, The Lewes Historical Society is proud to annouce the publication of "Swanendael in New Netherland," an early history of Lewes, Delaware. The first such book on the history of Lewes, the work delves into the intriguing and colorful past of Delaware's oldest settlement. The book is scheduled to be released in mid-July at the regular retail price of $30.00; a special edition that is signed and numbered by the author, William J. Cohen and sealed with the Society's seal and the seal of the Port of Lewes is limited to 100 copies and is available for $100.00.

Swanendael in New Netherland is the story of the founding of that colony, its demise, and its profound impact on the history of not only Lewes, Delaware but also on the colonies of Pennsylvania and Maryland. From the earliest Indian and European settlements on Lower Delaware Bay to one of the earliest public land grants in the Western Hemisphere, local author William Cohen of Wilmington, Del., weaves the intriguing story of the complex personalities, the momentous decisions, and the diverse land claims of Cape Henlopen’s past. This compelling book is for anyone interested in American colonial history and the history of Lewes—the First Town in the First State. An illustrated, hard cover edition, this book is sure to be enjoyed by history lovers and collectors of Delaware-related books.

The Lewes Historical Society, founded in 1962, is dedicated to the preservation of Lewes’s rich and unique heritage. It maintains twelve historic properties located in the heart of historic Lewes as well as an extensive collection of archival materials. To place an advance order for the book, please call 302-645-7670 or email info@historiclewes.org.

©2002-2005 The Lewes Historical Society