Title page to John Rippon's "A Selection of Psalms from the Best Sources Intended to Be an Index to Watts's Psalms and Hymns." Printed by Peter Brynberg, Wilimngton, Del., 1802. Believed to be the only known copy of this edition. Bequest of John Farrace, 1989.1.111 © The Lewes Historical Society

The Library of the Lewes Historical Society contains nearly 4,000 volumes relating to Lewes history, the history of Delaware, Delmarva history, natural and maritime history, some general American history works, family bibles, genealogy, special collections, nineteenth century medical texts, nineteenth and early twentieth century school texts, and texts dealing with aspects of the Society's museum collections - i.e., early American decorative arts, folk art, silver, clocks, ceramics, etc. The Library is located in the Hiram Rodney Burton House. Most of the library holdings are available for use; special and rare volumes, including periodicals and serials, are housed in closed stacks. Some volumes may also be on display in a Society museum.

The Library of The Lewes Historical Society is comprised primarily of the libraries of John Farrace, Alice Watts, Joseph Enos, other individual gifts, and through Society purchases and subscriptions. The Library contains numerous ledgers and daybooks of local merchants, business, physicians and individuals. The Library also holds log books from the pilot boats Thomas Howard and Ebe Tunnell as well as several miscellaneous pilot logs. The Society holds "Records of Ship Movements at the Delaware Breakwater" from the late nineteenth through the early twentieth centuries. In addition, various journals and scrapbooks of Lewes residents are found in the Society's Library.

If you are planning to visit the Society to utilize the library, please read our policies and note that all rare books including logs, ledgers, journals and manuscripts are housed in closed stacks and may not be available without arranging an appointment. Please keep in mind that The Library of the Lewes Historical Society is a reference facility only; no volumes, issues or collections circulate.

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