The Cannonball House was built c. 1765 and was once the home of Gilbert McCracken and David Rowland, pilots for the Bay & River Delaware. The Cannonball House has come to symbolize not only the Society, but the town of Lewes as well; previous uses included a restaurant, a laundry store and, for a time, the mayor's office. Harkening back to the town's rich nautical heritage, the Cannonball House is the home of The Lewes Historical Society's maritime museum.

DUE TO CURRENT PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS, ACCESS TO EXHIBITIONS AND/OR ADVERTISED PROGRAMMING MAY BE AMENDED OR TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED. 

The Lewes Life-Saving Station located on Delaware Bay was classified as a New Jersey design of 1882. No buildings remain in situ from the Lewes USLSS facilities although the Lewes Coast Guard Station is now being used as the headquarters for the Pilots Association for the Bay & River Delaware. There is some debate as to which district the Lewes Station belonged. Some sources point to the Fifth District that spanned from Cape Henlopen to Cape Charles.

Nestled in the heart of historic Lewes, The Shipcarpenter Street Campus offers 9 historic buildings for you to explore.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  Due to current public health concerns, access to exhibitions and/or advertised programming may be amended or temporarily restricted. 

The Lewes Historical Society  Gift Shop & Information Center will be re-opening on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. (We will not be accepting cash at this time.)