William de Wolfe, a mariner from Lewes. Unknown artist, c. 1830. Gift of Captain George Orton. 1972.1.2. © The Lewes Historical Society.

Since 1962, the Society has collected artifacts of all shapes and sizes that document and reflect what life has been like in Lewes over the years. From fine Chippendale and Rittenhouse furnishings to Delaware silver and works of art by Ethel Leach, Jacob Eichholtz, and Jonh Ramage, The Lewes Historical Society's museum collections are unparalleled in Lower Delaware.

Our collections also reflect more human aspects of life in Lewes and southern Delaware - nineteenth century doctors' implements, country store scales and tobacco cutters, manual foghorns used on small craft on Delaware Bay, and shipbuilders' models. Our collections document Lewes' long and close relationship with the sea including oil paintings of locally built and used vessels, the Fresnel Lens from Fourteen Foot Bank Lighthouse, pilot skiffs, Francis-built life cars, lyle guns, even the silver-plated, inscribed cork from the champagne bottle used to dedicate the first pilot boat Philadelphia.

We invite you to explore our collections and visit our museums -- where nearly 400 years of Lewes history awaits you! Or, if you or someone you know is interested in donating an object or collection to the Society, please contact us at research@historiclewes.org or call 302-645-7670.