Night at the Museum: Historic Lewes Speaker Series – The Golden Age of Sail

During the Golden Age of Sail, the period from the mid-19th to the early 20th century, when sailing vessels reached their peak of size and complexity — the seaport of Lewes experienced tremendous growth.  Ships headed to the port of Philadelphia would stop at Breakwater Harbor before proceeding up the bay and river Delaware.  It was not uncommon to have fifty or sixty wooden ships, mostly brigs and schooners, moored at the Delaware Breakwater on any given day.  In fact, the population of men on ships in the harbor would sometimes rival the population of the town!  Topics covered include the History of the Harbor, 19th century Delaware Bay Weather, and the Maritime Trades of Lewes.  Much of the information to be presented is from primary sources found in the archives of Historic Lewes.

Frank Cebula has been a resident of the Lewes area for a decade, and for most of that time has been active with Historic Lewes.  He has been a docent, historic interpreter and walking tour guide. Frank has also volunteered with the Overfalls Foundation, Indian River Life Saving Station (Breeches-buoy Drill Reenactment), and is an active member of the sailing crew of the Kalmar Nyckel, the Tall Ship of Delaware.