Lewes’ Zwaanendael Museum and Overfalls lightship (DE)

We awakened to fog after a humid night of light sleep and at 10:30 headed off in our tow vehicles to see the sights, all organized for us.

Our first stop was the Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes DE, which prides itself on being “the first town [1631, but it was wiped out by Indians] in the first state [to sign the constitution]”. The building is of 1931 construction and is based on a 1631 city building in the Netherlands. The interior includes relics from the early days of Lewes and a lab where the staff demonstrated what they go through in trying to date merchant items recovered from the hundreds of shipwrecks just off-shore. Marcia was in her element: a history artist directed us in making research-quality sketches of small recovered items like pottery shards. They kept Marcia’s picture.

Lunch was a sandwich buffet at The Light House (TLH), and afterwards we strolled the old downtown of Lewes (Marcia bought a print) and visited the Overfalls Maritime Museum.

The Overfalls was built in 1938 and was one of hundreds of lightships that once acted as portable lighthouses, in this case off several eastern ports over its 34 year career. Volunteer restorers, most of whom had served on the Overfalls or a sister lightship, guided us. It is currently resting on the bottom with a 4 degree list. The hull is secure although in places only 1/8th inch thick. They hope to tow her to a shipyard this November to be replated. It was fun touring her, and Marcia asked for the autograph of the ship’s current manager, I’m sure giving him much pleasure.

Afterwards we returned to our camp and as requested in our camp binder, put on a 5:30 PM GAM (“Get acquainted meeting”) for five couples. This task will be rotated through the caravan until in theory, we’ve had a chance to meet and know everyone.