Zwaanendael Museum: A Tribute to Delaware's Dutch Roots

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Explore Delaware's Dutch heritage and maritime history at the Zwaanendael Museum, a tribute to the state's first European colony.

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Zwaanendael Museum

The Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes, Delaware, commemorates the state's first European colony, Swanendael, established by the Dutch in 1631. Modeled after the town hall in Hoorn, Netherlands, it showcases Lewes' maritime, military, and social history.

A brief summary to Zwaanendael Museum

102 Kings Hwy, Lewes, Delaware, 19958, US
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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 to help maintain the museum's exhibits and programs.
Check out the museum's website for information on current exhibits and special events.
Allow about 1-2 hours for a visit to fully explore the museum's exhibits.
The first floor of the museum is wheelchair accessible.

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Getting There

Walking

The Zwaanendael Museum is located in downtown Lewes at 102 Kings Highway. If you are already in the downtown area, it is easily accessible on foot. From the intersection of Savannah Road and Second Street, walk southwest on Second Street, then turn left onto Kings Highway. The museum will be on your right. Note that restrooms are not available at the Zwaanendael Museum.
Public Transport

The DART First State bus Route 204 serves the Lewes area. From the Lewes Transit Center, take Route 204 towards Lewes and disembark at the stop closest to Kings Highway. Walk approximately 0.5 miles north on Kings Highway, and you will arrive at the museum. A single ride on DART is $2.00.
Car

If driving from Cape Henlopen State Park, exit the park via Cape Henlopen Drive. Turn left onto Route 1 (Coastal Highway) heading north. Continue for about 2.5 miles. Take the exit toward Lewes and merge onto Kings Highway (Route 9). Follow Kings Highway for about 1.5 miles, and you will find the Zwaanendael Museum on your left at 102 Kings Hwy. Street parking is available in downtown Lewes within walking distance of the museum.

Discover more about Zwaanendael Museum

The Zwaanendael Museum, located in historic Lewes, Delaware, stands as a monument to the state's early European history. Built in 1931 to mark the 300th anniversary of the Swanendael colony, founded by the Dutch in 1631, the museum is an architectural replica of the town hall in Hoorn, Netherlands. Designed by E. William Martin, the building features 17th-century Dutch elements, including a stepped facade gable, terra cotta roof tiles, carved stonework, and decorated shutters. A statue of David Pietersen de Vries, the leader of the expedition that founded Swanendael, graces the building's front. Inside, the museum's exhibits explore the maritime, military, and social history of the Lewes area. Displays include artifacts from shipwrecks, information on local lighthouses (including the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse), and stories of the Delaware River and Bay pilots. The museum also presents exhibits on Delaware's segregated beaches during the Jim Crow era and other aspects of the region's past. One can also find a Feejee mermaid on display. The museum not only preserves history but also encourages interaction. Archaeological finds from the Roosevelt Inlet are on display, and visitors are invited to touch recovered fragments of the past. The Zwaanendael Museum offers a glimpse into the lives of those who shaped Delaware's southeastern coast.