Plan Your Visit

Hours & Admission

History Museum & Archives

101 Adams Avenue
Lewes, DE 19958
DIRECTIONS

Closed for renovations

No Admission until 2026

Historic Lewes Town Campus

110 Shipcarpenter Street
Lewes, DE 19958
DIRECTIONS

Administrative hours:
Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Campus Grounds are open every day, year-round, dawn to dusk.

Off-season Hours (Dec. 26, 2024, through March 31, 2025)
Historic Buildings are open Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Seasonal Hours (April - October)
Wednesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4p.m.

Admission:
Free ($5.00 donation encouraged)

Cannonball House Maritime Museum

118 Front Street
Lewes, DE 19958
DIRECTIONS

Seasonal Hours (April - October 2025)
Wednesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Off-season Hours (Dec. 26, 2024 - March 31, 2025)
Closed

Admission:
$5 per person, children 12 and under are free.

Ryves Holt House Museum & Mercantile

218 Second Street
Lewes, Delaware 19958
DIRECTIONS

Seasonal Hours (April - October 2025)
Wednesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Off-season Hours (Dec. 26, 2024 - March 31, 2025)
Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Admission:
Free

U.S. Life-Saving Service Boat House

229 Pilottown Road
Lewes, DE 19958
DIRECTIONS

Seasonal Hours (April - October 2025)
Wednesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Off-season Hours (Dec. 26, 2024 - March 31, 2025)
Closed

Admission:
$5 per person, children 12 and under are free.

Get FREE ADMISSION
To All Locations

  • Member Benefits:
  • Free admission to all Locations.
  • 10% Discount at the Museum Shop.
  • 10% Discount on walking tours.
  • Copy of the annual Journal of the Lewes Historical Society.
  • Advanced Notification of exhibits, tours, and programs.
Become a Member

Visiting Lewes?

Welcome to the “First Town in the First State!” Lewes boasts a rich maritime history, with its Dutch founding dating back to 1631. While you’re here you can visit the legendary Cannonball House, which survived impact from cannonfire in the War of 1812, or the Ryves Holt House dating back to the 17th century. The collection of historic buildings, including many of the private residences in town, provide for more sight-seeing than can be covered in just one visit!

In addition to Lewes’ historical district, Lewes is a great place to come and enjoy the water. Go for a swim or just relax on Lewes beach, a quieter place than neighboring beaches in the area. The Lewes–Rehoboth Canal allows for easy access to the bay and ocean, while our waterfront restaurants provide places to sit by the water and enjoy a bite to eat. Watch the sailors come back from local sailboat races while enjoying a tasty crab pretzel!

Cape Henlopen state park contains beautiful campgrounds where one can immerse themself in nature. From sandy dunes to luscious green forests to old lookout towers from WW2’s Fort Miles, Cape Henlopen is the perfect place to find your new and favorite historic nature oasis.

So, come on down to Lewes, the water’s fine, and learn our little piece of history to take home with you while you’re here. Who knows, you might just find yourself coming back for more.

Tours & Field Trips

Discover historic destinations downtown, learn intriguing facts about our region’s maritime history, and experience history as it comes alive. Find out about our lighthouses, cemeteries, historic architecture, maritime monuments, and more.

Tours

Explore Our Locations

History Museum & Archives

101 Adams Avenue
Lewes, DE 19958

Learn More

Historic Lewes Town Campus

110 Shipcarpenter Street
Lewes, DE 19958

Learn More

Cannonball House Maritime Museum

118 Front Street
Lewes, DE 19958

Learn More

Ryves Holt House Museum & Mercantile

218 Second Street
Lewes, Delaware 19958

Learn More

U.S. Life-Saving Service Boat House

229 Pilottown Road
Lewes, DE 19958

Learn More