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Zwaanendael Museum: A Dutch Legacy in Lewes

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Explore Delaware's Dutch heritage at the Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes, a showcase of maritime, military, and social history.

Commemorating Delaware's first European colony, the Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes showcases the area's maritime, military, and social history. Modeled after the town hall in Hoorn, Netherlands, the museum offers free admission and a glimpse into the state's Dutch roots.

A brief summary to Zwaanendael Museum

  • Wednesday 10 am-4:15 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-4:15 pm
  • Friday 10 am-4:15 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-4:15 pm

Local tips

  • Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
  • Street parking is available near the museum in downtown Lewes.
  • The museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays year-round.
  • Restrooms are not available in the museum, but they can be found in the park behind it.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The Zwaanendael Museum is located in historic downtown Lewes, easily accessible on foot from many points in the area. From the Lewes Transit Center, walk north on Coastal Highway, turn left onto Savannah Road, and then turn right onto Kings Highway. The museum will be on your left. The walk is approximately 1 mile and should take about 20 minutes. There are sidewalks along the route.

  • Public Transport

    DART First State operates bus routes that serve Lewes. The Lewes Line, a seasonal transit program, has a stop at the Zwaanendael Museum along Savannah Road. Check the DART First State website for schedules and route information. A single ride fare is $2.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    Taxi and ride-sharing services like Uber are available in Lewes. A ride from the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal to the Zwaanendael Museum is approximately 2 miles and costs around $15-$20, depending on demand and surge pricing. Pickup times may be longer than in larger cities.

Discover more about Zwaanendael Museum

The Zwaanendael Museum, located in Lewes, Delaware, stands as a tribute to the state's first European colony, Swanendael, established by the Dutch in 1631. Built in 1931 to mark the 300th anniversary of this settlement, the museum's architecture is inspired by the town hall of Hoorn, Netherlands, featuring a stepped facade gable, carved stonework, and decorated shutters. Crowning the building is a statue of David Pietersen de Vries, the leader of the Dutch expedition. The museum's exhibits delve into the maritime, military, and social history of the Lewes area. Visitors can explore the region's past through displays on shipwrecks, lighthouses, and the lives of those who lived and worked along Delaware's southeastern coast. One of the museum's more unusual artifacts is a Fiji merman, a 19th-century creation of a monkey's head sewn onto a fish's body. The museum also hosts rotating exhibits. Past exhibits include topics such as Delaware Railroads, the British warship DeBraak, and the Black American experience at Delaware's segregated beaches during the Jim Crow era. The museum provides self-guided tours, and staff members are available to answer questions.

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