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Indoors · Lewes, Sussex County

Zwaanendael Museum

Museum · Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs

The Dutch-gabled building on Kings Highway in Lewes, built for the 300th anniversary of the 1631 Swanendael colony. Free, self-guided, and small enough to do properly in half an hour. There are no restrooms inside — they're in the park next door.

An ornate Dutch-style brick building with a stepped and scrolled gable, red and white shutters, and a blue front door under carved stonework.

Built in 1931 as a copy of the town hall at Hoorn in the Netherlands. Closed Sunday and Monday.

Harrison Keely · date not given · CC BY 4.0 · source

  • No restrooms in the museum. Public ones are in Zwaanendael Park next door.
  • Closed Sunday and Monday, which is half of a beach weekend.

What's inside

  • The story of Swanendael, the Dutch colony of 1631
  • Segregated Sands, on Black beachgoing in Jim Crow Delaware
  • Shared Truths, on people who document Delaware history, including LGBTQ+ advocacy material

The details

Admission
Free. Donations appreciated.
Restrooms
None
Gift shop
Not confirmed
Getting around
First floor is wheelchair accessible. The second floor is reached by stairs and there is no elevator.
Parking
Street parking in downtown Lewes.
Getting there
Open in Google Maps to Zwaanendael Museum (opens Google Maps)
Website
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs: Zwaanendael Museum

Where it is

Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE 19958Directions →

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