Zwaanendael Museum

The Zwaanendael Museum is a museum in Lewes, Delaware, built in 1931 as a brick structure with distinctive Dutch-inspired architectural features. Its exterior displays a stepped gable facade, terracotta roof tiles, and intricately carved stonework that gives the building a formal, heritage-focused appearance.

The museum was built in 1931 to commemorate Delaware's first European settlement, established by Dutch colonists in 1631 under David Pietersen de Vries. This early colonial period shaped the region's identity before it passed into other hands.

This place stands where Dutch settlers first attempted to build a community, and its design reflects that heritage through architectural choices. The stepped gable and stonework create a visual connection to the old country, making the building itself a statement about where Lewes came from.

The museum sits on Kings Highway in Lewes and connects conveniently to the Cape May-Lewes Ferry route for easy access. Plan your visit with enough time to browse the collections at a comfortable pace, and school groups can arrange educational programs in advance.

The collection includes a Chinese feejee mermaid, an unusual artifact donated on loan by a local family, that sits among the maritime exhibits. This curious piece reveals how tall tales and global trade connected to Delaware's seafaring world.

Location: Lewes

Inception: 1931

Website: http://history.delaware.gov/museums/zm/zm_main.shtml

GPS coordinates: 38.77470,-75.13910

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:06