Cannonball House Marine Museum - Lewes, Delaware

 Cannonball House Marine Museum - Lewes, Delaware

Lewes maritime history is brought to life at the Cannonball House Museum.  The house was constructed before 1797 and had the distinguishing mark of a cannonball hit it in April of 1813 during the British War of 1812 and the bombardment of Lewes.

Lewes was settled in 1631 by the Dutch.  Lewes is considered “the First Town in the First State.”

Lewes was chosen as one of America’ “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” in 2006 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

While in the community of Lewes you can take the Cape May-Lewes Gerry Trolley to see the beautiful waterfront, and quaint streets.

There are a number of attractions in the historical area of Lewes for you to visit such as the Blacksmith Shop which may or may not have been an actual blacksmith shop in the late 19^th century.

The Burton-Ingram House is also open for display.  The house was built around 1785 and has been recognized for its architectural significance to Lower Delaware.  There are a number of unique characteristics with this home that would be interesting to see while touring the area.  The furnishings of the home are as impressive, or perhaps more impressive then the house itself.

On the grounds is also the Early Plank House which was built in a similar design to the Swedes houses built around 1675.  The building may have been used as a slave house – based on the pegs in the wall for clothes, the wood floor and the small window in the sleeping loft.  The plank notching resembles that to have been used in the 1740’s.

The Hiram Rodney Burton House has a long and interesting history as well as the other buildings on the site.  It is thought that this house was build sometime around 1675.  There were numerous additions and repairs done to the home over the years but the original structure still remains.

Then take a little while and visit the Lewes Life-Saving Station Boathouse which was built in 1884.  It currently contains two Monomoy surfboats, a life-car, beach cart and a Lyle Gun.  There are other things on display that would be of interest to anyone with a background or interest in the seas.

The school building #178 is also display.  Originally the building was 20’ x 24’.  This school was most probably built around the early 1900’s.  There are records of the teachers at the school from 1914.

The Old Doctor’s Office is unique to the community wherein it is of Greek Revival Style, the only one built in Lewes.  The proportions of the Old Doctor’s Office recall the temple of Athena Nike in Athens with this wide columns supporting a triangular pediment and flat band under the eaves.

The museums admission is $7, Individual museum rates are $2 and children under 12 are free.

There are 12 historic properties, nine of which are located at the Historic Complex at the intersection of Second and Shipcarpenter St. 

Hours during the spring are from 11-4, summer hours range from 11-4 and in the early fall are on Saturdays from 11-4.

Location: 110 Shipcarpenter St., Lewes, Delaware 19958

Phone: 302-645-7670