Places & Organizations of Interest
Lewes Chamber Of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, Inc.
The Chamber of Commerce actively promotes the businesses in the City of Lewes. The Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Great Delaware Kite Festival, The Christmas Parade, The Lewes Festival of Gardens, Boast-the-Coast Festival, and the British Antique Car Show. A free booklet is published annually for distribution to the public full of information concerning Lewes. The Chamber of Commerce Office is located in the Fisher/Martin House situated in the Zwaanendael Park. The telephone number is 302-645-8073.
Greater Lewes Foundation (GLF)
The Greater Lewes Foundation serves as the region's community foundation. Its mission is "to maintain and improve the quality of life in the Greater Lewes region." GLF's role is to encourage and facilitate philanthropy within the Greater Lewes region. GLF works with people to strengthen our community by helping residents create personal charitable funds, in their own names, through which they can support non-profit organizations and causes of their choice in perpetuity. Through the stewardship of the GLF, they will know that their charitable directives will always be followed. Thanks to the GLF, local leaders are being developed and a permanent base of charitable endowment is being established for Lewes. One of GLF's most visible efforts during the past several years has been its efforts as the fiscal agent for the new Lewes Canalfront Park, a project of significant importance to the entire Greater Lewes community..
Lewes In Bloom
The City of Lewes is an active participant in America in Bloom, a national beautification program that fosters civic pride in communities across the country. It is a friendly competition that recognizes and rewards participating communities for their efforts. In 2003, Lewes received special mention for its floral displays throughout the town and beach area. In addition, national level judges made note of the fact that "Lewes has many parks that grace the town with a myriad of flowers in an exciting array of colors," noting that Lewes' parks and gardens were nominated for state awards. Because of competition rules, Lewes could not vie for the award in 2004, but instead received international recognition competing in Communities in Bloom. In 2005, Lewes again took first place in the America in Bloom national competition among cities with populations of 5,000 and less. Nearly 50 communities from all regions of the country participated in the 2005 competition. Winners in nine population categories were announced at the Fourth Annual America in Bloom Symposium and Awards Program on Saturday, September 10, at the Marriott Key Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Lewes was the only Delaware city to enter the competition. 2005 winners (by population caregory) include:
Under 5,000 – Lewes, Delaware
5,001 – 10,000 – Meredith, New Hampshire
10,001 – 15,000 – Loveland, Ohio
15,001 – 20,000 - Newburyport, Massachusetts
20,001 – 50,000 – Hudson, Ohio
50,001 – 100,000 – Kettering, Ohio
100,001 – 300,000 – Rockford, Illinois
300,001 or more – Grand Central Partnership, New York City, New York
University Campus – Brigham Young University
Lewes was honored for its turf and groundcover areas; noting that "instead of using traditional suburban lawns, several new housing developments have instigated a policy of "lawn free" landscaping using an array of living groundcovers, drought tolerant shrubs and rock mulches"
Friends of the Lewes Canalfront Park
The "Friends" organization was established for three purposes:
- To provide a way for volunteers to participate in Park activities – from help with plantings and clean-up, to suggestions for policies and procedures;
- To help raise money for future Park maintenance – both annual costs and endowment; and
- To actively promote use of the Park by local residents, visitors and other non-profit organizations.
The vision for the Lewes Canalfront Park is based upon designs from the award-winning design firm Andropogon Associates, Ltd. of Philadelphia, PA. The Park will serve as a central gathering point for residents and visitors and it will celebrate the historic relationship that Lewes has with the Sea and Bay. For information about how you can become a "Friend" and support the "Friends" organization, please visit their web site at www.lewescanalfrontpark.org.
Lewes Historical Society
The Lewes Historical Society is a very active organization in the City of Lewes. The group works diligently to preserve the heritage of Lewes. The society formed a Historic Complex, Third and Shipcarpenter Streets, and has restored the Overfalls Lightship and U.S. Lifesaving Station now located on Front Street. Along with self-guided tours, the Historical Society sponsors the Cape Henlopen Craft Fair in July, Antique Flea Market in August, and the Christmas Fair and Walking Tour in December. All monies raised are used for operating expenses. The Society is already working to make the City's 375th Anniversary in 2006 a fun and exciting time in Lewes' long history. The Society, the City's residents and civic groups are all enthusiastic about celebrating a remarkable anniversary in our history and we are all looking forward to a very special anniversary year. Many activities are being planned including special concerts, a "tall ship" festival, various exhibits, flower festivals, visiting guests from England and the Netherlands, a Dutch history conference, public history programs, etc. Check the Society's web site frequently for more details.
Historic Lewes Farmers Market
The Historic Lewes Farmers Market is a non-profit, community-based, producer-only farmers’ market. The market runs every Saturday from May 30- October 10, from 8am to 12pm. This market is the largest and most successful farmers’ market in Delaware. The market is held at the Lewes Historical Society Complex, 110 Shipcarpenter Street (corner of W. Third and Shipcarpenter Street) every Saturday, except for June 27, July 11, August 1 & October 3. On those three Saturdays it will be held at Richard A. Shields Elementary School Parking Lot, 910 Shields Ave (near intersection of Savannah Rd. and Sussex Dr.). The market also features recipe demonstrations by local chefs using food from the market, and workshops by master gardeners and sustainable agriculture experts.
What’s at Market?
• Fresh produce including lettuces, tomatoes, potatoes, greens, squashes, leeks, beans, melons, asparagus, strawberries, peaches, nectarines, apples, blueberries, and much more!
• Fresh grass-fed meat and chicken
• Fresh fish
• Delicious breads and other baked goods including pies made with local fruits
• Fresh cut-flowers and bedding plants
• Fresh herbs
• Eggs
• Artisanal cheese
Lewes Public Library
The Lewes Public Library moved to its present location, 111 Adams Street, in 1988 from a room in the west wing of the Lewes City Hall. Prior to the City Hall location it was housed for thirty years in the upstairs room of the Zwaanendael Museum to where it had moved in 1932 from the building which is now occupied by the Zwaanendael Women's Club at Third Street and Savannah Road. Today, the library has added two beautiful wings, a special room for its Delaware Collection and an enclosed area for its periodicals. The Library has a staff of four full-time and three part-time employees, as well as many willing and capable volunteers.
Cape May/Lewes Ferry
The Cape May/Lewes Ferry connects the historic City of Lewes, Delaware and the Victorian City of Cape May, New Jersey. This relaxing and scenic journey across the beautiful Delaware Bay takes about 80 minutes. The ferry has been in continuous operation since 1964. Each ferry is equipped to handle approximately 100 vehicles and 1,000 passengers. During the summer months, convenient, air-conditioned shuttle buses are available to take you into Lewes, Route One, Rehoboth, and Dewey resort regions. When you arrive in Cape May on the shuttle, you are in the middle of the downtown walking mall and the historic district. For more information on rates and departures, call 1-800-64FERRY.
Cape Henlopen School District
The Cape Henlopen School District is located along the beautiful and scenic shoreline of southern Delaware. The eastern most boundary of the district borders the Altantic Ocean and the Delaware Bay. Seven schools reside within the towns of Lewes, Milton and Rehoboth Beach.
Lewes Little League
The Lewes Little League boasts two ball fields located at Pilottown Road and the use of the field at Cape Henlopen High School. Forty-two teams are now fielded each season at levels,comprised of 611 children between the ages of 6-11. Opening Day ceremonies take place the last weekend in April. Lewes Little League has had several district champion teams.
Lightship "Overfalls" - The last lightship built by the United States Lighthouse Service
The Lightship "Overfalls" was commissioned as the LV (light vessel) 118 in 1938 and was considered at that time to be "state of the art" in lightship design. The vessel had a distinguished career from 1938 until 1971 when it was taken out of service after receiving major structural damage in a December 1970 storm. The Overfalls was decommissioned in 1971 and is one of only 15 lightships out of a total of 179 built from 1820 to 1952 remaining in the United States. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. In September of 1999 a small group of dedicated people got together to save the Overfalls, berthed here in Lewes, Delaware. This group later formed the Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation, an organization which has since grown to over two hundred members.
Lewes Fire Department
The Lewes Fire Department, organized in 1796, celebrated its 200th Anniversary in 1996. The Department has its headquarters at 347 Savannah Road in Lewes. The Department operates out of a beautiful colonial style firehouse dedicated in 1992. Station 2 is located just off Route One at Nassau and was completed in 1990. And, the Lewes/Rehoboth Station 3, located on Route 24, was dedicated on May 24, 2003. Station 3 is a joint project by the Lewes and Rehoboth Fire Companies and was built to serve the ever increasing population of the Angola area. Together the three stations provide all fire, rescue and emergency medical services to the community twenty-four hours a day. Visitors are invited to stop by and visit the Lewes Fire Department Museum located at Station 82 at 347 Savannah Road. You will also enjoy seeing the Department's 1901 horse cart, and totally restored 1925 American La France Pumper.
Lewes Amateur Radio Society (LARS)
The Lewes Amateur Radio Society is an organization of local amateur radio operators in the Lewes area. The society promotes and furthers amateur radio knowledge, fraternalism, individual operating proficiency and the exchange of information and cooperation among its members. The society supports local community events and activities to advance interest in amateur radio and develop relationships with other established amateur radio clubs within the area. The society also provides the City with emergency radio communications capabilities in the event of a natural disaster. If you would like to learn more about RACES and the role of amateur radio (ham radio) operators in support of state and local governments during periods of local, regional or national civil emergencies (including natural disasters), please visit the National RACES web site.
The University Of Delaware College Of Marine & Earth Studies
The University of Delaware College of Marine & Earth Studies, with campuses in Lewes and Newark, houses many talented scientists, students and staff who are helping us to learn more about the marine environment that composes nearly three-quarters of our world. From analysis of the blue mussel's "glue" to the use of satellite technology to monitor the health of the Delaware Bay, faculty and students at the College of Marine & Earth Studies are working to conserve our marine resources, use our resources more wisely to develop beneficial products, and provide solutions to the pressing problems facing our oceans and coast. Each year, on the first Sunday in October, the University of Delaware College of Marine & Earth Studies and Sea Grant Program join hands to host Coast Day, an open house at the Lewes Complex. The event annually attracts several thousand visitors to the campus. Coast Day features current marine research, marine science lectures and films, children's activities, a nautical flea market, plenty of delicious seafood, and live entertainment. This event provides the opportunity to strengthen the college's ties with the Lewes community.
Kalmar Nyckel - Delaware's Tall Ship Ambassador
The Kalmar Nyckel, Delaware's Tallship, traditionally spends the month of August sailing from the historic port of Lewes, offering visitors to the area insight into the history of the area from the decks of the vessel. The Kalmar Nyckel, a Swedish-owned, Dutch-built three-masted armed pinnace (warship), brought the first permanent European settlers to the Delaware Valley, sailing from Goteborg, Sweden in November of 1637. Carrying 24 settlers from four countries -- Sweden, Finland, Holland, and Germany -- she landed on the banks of the Christiana River, a tributary of the mighty Delaware River. The Kalmar Nyckel made four documented round-trip crossings of the Atlantic, more than any other "settlers' ship" of the era. The original ship was lost in the late 1600s. Today, a replica of the Kalmar Nyckel serves as Delaware's sea-going Ambassador of Good Will. Each year the ship arrives in Lewes during the month of July and offers daily ship-based activities to the public that typically include deck tours, pirate- themed deck tours, pirate sails, family and kid sails, and sunset sails. For more detailed information, please click on the link provided above to visit the Kalmar Nyckel web site.
Beebe Medical Center
Beebe Medical Center, first opened in 1916, offers an array of inpatient, outpatient, emergency and diagnostic services. The Tunnel Cancer Center houses the first radiation oncology treatment center in Sussex County. Beebe also has six community health centers and offers a pediatric practice, medical oncologists, and a pulmonologist geriatrician. Beebe Home Health, the Lewes Convalescent Center, Beebe Imaging Centers in nearby Georgetown, Millsboro, and Millville and Gull House geriatric day care in Rehoboth Beach further meet the community's needs. The Medical Center also offers other community services such as health screening, educational seminars, patient education, numerous support groups, a speaker’s bureau and physician referral services among others.