Zwaanendael Museum

05/29/2026

Nothing is more exciting than a box of artifacts!

Everything here is from the collection of the HMS DeBraak, an 18th century shipwreck that sank off the coast of Lewes. Join the Zwaanendael Museum for one of our 'Walk to DeBraak" tours, and you'll get a closer look at these items, as well as the remaining portion of the ship itself!

Spots are still open on Saturday, May 30th at 2p.m. Call the museum at (302) 645-1148 to reserve your spot!

Can't make it Saturday? Check out the rest of the tour schedule below:
June 4, 10a.m. ⁠
June 18, 10a.m ⁠
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July 2, 10a.m. ⁠
July 11, 2p.m. ⁠
July 16, 10a.m. ⁠
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August 6, 10a.m. ⁠
August 8, 2p.m. ⁠
August 20, 10a.m. ⁠
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September 3, 10a.m. ⁠
September 12, 2p.m. ⁠
September 17, 10a.m. ⁠

05/28/2026

Oh sun, how we have missed you! ⁠☀️⁠
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The Zwaanendael Museum is open today from 10a.m. to 4:15p.m. Stop in your daily dose of local history while you're out. ⁠
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05/27/2026

What can a button tell us?

Buttons are one of the most common items found in archaeological sites of the American Revolution. These tiny artifacts help archaeologists and historians to learn about the units who fought, or occupied these important locations in our nation's history. This week the illustration series takes a look at some of the buttons worn by Delawareans during the American Revolutionary War.

European military uniforms during the 18th century were mostly standardized by country. Great Britain wore red, the Spanish and French white, and the German states blue, etc., for example. To identify each unit or regiment, the uniforms were made with different colored facings and buttons. The buttons were usually cast with the number of the regiment. Officer's buttons were of a nicer quality metal like gold or silver while those of the enlisted were usually of pewter.

When the Continental Army was formed in 1775 the regiments of individual states wore uniforms with buttons cast with letters the state belonged to. The 1st Delaware Regiment's buttons were cast with the initials "DR" on them. Maryland, which had more than one regiment, had buttons with "MR" and then the number for the regiment. Many of Pennsylvania's regiments' buttons were cast with a letter "P."

As the Continental Army matured into a professional army standardized buttons were prescribed. State identities went away in favor of a national identity. These new buttons were cast with the letters "USA" for infantry. The regiments of the Continental Artillery modelled their buttons off the British Royal Artillery's, casting their buttons with images of cannons and mortars. The Continental Navy and Marine Corps modelled their buttons off those of the Royal Navy and cast theirs with images of anchors with rope.

The buttons mentioned along with some of the others worn by Delawareans are illustrated here.

Download the uncolored version to use as a coloring page to enjoy at home or stop by the Zwaanendael Museum and grab a copy!


ZM53&54

05/26/2026

Yesterday marked the 228th anniversary of the sinking of the H.M.S. DeBraak off the Lewes coast. Tonight, join archeologist Chuck Fithian as he examines the "wooden world" of the ship, and the men who served on board.

The program takes place at the Lewes History Museum at 5p.m. Admission is free.

Ahoy! Join the Zwaanendael Museum and The Lewes Historical Society on May 26th for this special presentation by archeologist Chuck Fithian!
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Using information derived from the study of the DeBraak and its associated artifacts, this presentation will provide an archaeological perspective on the world of the naval sailor. It will show the complexities of their “wooden world,” and place it into the wider context of maritime culture, naval warfare, and the historical events shaping the late eighteenth century Atlantic world.⁠

Chuck Fithian is a Historical Archaeologist, with over forty years of experience working in the Mid-Atlantic region. He is the retired Curator of Archaeology for the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, where he oversaw the State’s extensive archaeological collection and managed several archaeological and historical research projects. This included the conservation, research and curation of the hull and associated collection of the DeBraak.

The program begins at 5p.m. at the Lewes History Museum.
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05/22/2026

Need some inside weekend plans?! Check out what the Zwaanendael Museum is offering!

🇬🇧Saturday, May 23, 10:30a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Due to the weather, our Loyalist officer has decided to occupy the second floor of the Zwaanendael Museum. Learn about what Lewes was like for the supporters of the crown during the American Revolution, and see what a British officer would have carried.

⚓️Tuesday, May 26 at 5p.m.: Join the Zwaanendael Museum and The Lewes Historical Society for a special program by archeologist Chuck Fithian. Honoring the 228th anniversary of the DeBraak shipwreck, this presentation will provide an archaeological perspective on the world of the naval sailor. It will show the complexities of their “wooden world,” and place it into the wider context of maritime culture, naval warfare, and the historical events shaping the late eighteenth century Atlantic world.

05/19/2026

Unfurl the sails!

In honor of America's 250th and Maritime Month, meet the Delawareans of the Continental Navy!

In October 1775, the Continental Navy was formed by the Continental Congress of the 13 colonies. It was the predecessor to the United States Navy we know today. 6 Delawareans have been identified as serving in the Continental Navy during the American Revolution. 3 served as officers, 1 served as the first surgeon in U.S. naval history, 1 served as a sailor and 1 served as the naval commissioner to the Continental Navy. The two most well known of the Delawareans in Thomas and James Read, the brothers of Delaware and U.S. Founding Father, George Read. Thomas Read became the first to obtain the rank of Commodore in the Continental Navy, commanding a fleet of American warships in 1776. James Read, served as commissioner of the Continental Navy, making him one of the founding fathers of the U.S. Navy.

The Continental Navy never achieved status equal to that of the British Royal Navy. Instead it protected American maritime trade and wreaked havoc on British merchant shipping during the war. Captain John Paul Jones brought the war to Great Britain when he led an attack on the English port of Whitehaven in 1778. The greatest achievement of the Continental Navy was it created an experienced cadre of naval officers that would later lay the foundation for the U.S. Navy.

Most information regarding the uniforms of the Continental Navy regards uniforms of officers. Illustrated here is a captain wearing the regulation uniform worn throughout the majority of the war. The uniform was that of a blue coat lined and faced with red. The waistcoat is red with gold braiding. The blue breeches braided with gold were worn over white stockings. Buttons on the coat and waistcoat were of gold or yellow colored metal with and anchor design on them. He wears a black cocked hat. As a captain he carries a naval sword on his left hip. He is illustrated holding a captured flag or ensign of the British Merchant Navy, taken down when a British merchant ship was captured.

Download the uncolored version to use as a coloring page to enjoy at home or stop by the Zwaanendael Museum and grab a copy!


ZM27

05/13/2026

Ahoy! Join the Zwaanendael Museum and The Lewes Historical Society on May 26th for this special presentation by archeologist Chuck Fithian!
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Using information derived from the study of the DeBraak and its associated artifacts, this presentation will provide an archaeological perspective on the world of the naval sailor. It will show the complexities of their “wooden world,” and place it into the wider context of maritime culture, naval warfare, and the historical events shaping the late eighteenth century Atlantic world.⁠

Chuck Fithian is a Historical Archaeologist, with over forty years of experience working in the Mid-Atlantic region. He is the retired Curator of Archaeology for the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, where he oversaw the State’s extensive archaeological collection and managed several archaeological and historical research projects. This included the conservation, research and curation of the hull and associated collection of the DeBraak.

The program begins at 5p.m. at the Lewes History Museum.
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05/12/2026

Which way to Lewes Town?

In honor of America's 250th and Maritime Month, meet the Delawareans of the Pennsylvania State Navy!

When the Revolution broke out in the spring of 1775, the early American government did not have an official navy to go up against Britain's Royal Navy, then considered the best in the world. ( The Continental Navy was not formed until the fall of 1775). In response to this, 11 of the 13 colonies formed there own state navies to protect the maritime interests and borders of the early nation. Protecting the Delaware Bay and River was the Pennsylvania State Navy formed in July of 1775. This was an important waterway to guard, as it led to Philadelphia where the Continental Congress was located. The Pennsylvania Navy put up a hard fight protecting Philadelphia. But the Navy was weakened by the British during their capture of the city in 1777. Afterwards, the state navy was downsized and ultimately disbanded by 1783.

Several Delawareans served as officers in the Pennsylvania State Navy. An unknown number served as sailors and marines. Delawarean officers included Thomas Read, Hugh Montgomery and James Montgomery.

Most of the information we have about the uniforms applies to the officers of the Pennsylvania State Navy. One is illustrated here. Officers wore a blue coat with a standing collar and buff facings. The buttons on the coat were brass and embossed with an anchor. Buff colored waistcoats and breeches were worn with white stockings. Headwear would have been a black tricorn hat. Sailors reportedly wore blue or brown coats but would have otherwise worn whatever clothes they could find or were given.

Download the uncolored version to use as a coloring page to enjoy at home or stop by the Zwaanendael Museum and grab a copy!


ZM26

05/10/2026

We're walking down memory lane with the Merman!

05/08/2026

Did you know you can see the remains of an 18th century ship, right here in Lewes?! Sign up today for a Walk to DeBraak tour and check it out yourself!⁠
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The Zwaanendael Museum is excited to offer the public a chance to see the remaining portion of the HMS DeBraak, an 18th century shipwreck. Learn about the ships complicated history, the men who sailed on board, and see some artifacts up close! ⁠
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Tours are FREE and are limited to 18 people. Prior registration is strongly encouraged. Call the Zwaanendael Museum at (302) 645-1148 or email us at [email protected] to sign up or learn more. ⁠
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⚓️2026 Dates ⚓️⁠
May 21, 10a.m. ⁠
May 30, 2p.m. ⁠
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June 4, 10a.m. ⁠
June 18, 10a.m ⁠
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July 2, 10a.m. ⁠
July 11, 2p.m. ⁠
July 16, 10a.m. ⁠
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August 6, 10a.m. ⁠
August 8, 2p.m. ⁠
August 20, 10a.m. ⁠
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September 3, 10a.m. ⁠
September 12, 2p.m. ⁠
September 17, 10a.m. ⁠
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