The Archives of The Lewes Historical Society is the premier resource for information about the history of Lewes, Delaware and the Cape Henlopen region. The Society is fortunate to hold nearly 300 linear feet of papers and other documents in addition to photographic collections of over 50,000 images.

Highlights of our holdings include correspondence from Thomas McKean, Caesar Rodney and John Dickinson; the papers authorizing the construction of the Delaware Breakwater signed by President John Quincy Adams; correspondence from Lewes and Philadelphia regarding the bombardment of Lewes by the British on April 6th & 7th, 1813; materials and log books relating to the Delaware Pilots and the Philadelphia Maritime Exchange are also found here in Lewes, their home for hundreds of years.

The Society maintains an ever growing collection of Lewes-related papers, photographs and ephemera. Our general holdings are broken into several areas including genealogical, maritime, and the history of Lewes. Special emphasis is placed on related industries on Delaware River and Bay as well as Lewes architecture, social, religious and commercial history.

The Society also holds files concerning the history of our Society; these include budgets, minutes, committee minutes, correspondence, special exhibitions and events and papers regarding our 12 historic house museums.

The Society actively collects all kinds of materials relating to Lewes and the Cape Henlopen region. Our collections have grown primarily through the generousity of others. If you are considering donating materials or are aware of collections that are suitable to ours, please contact us. The Society is a recognized 501 (c) (3) organization and all donations are deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

©2002-2005 The Lewes Historical Society