Bench donated to Lewes Historical Society’s life-saving station

“I won a bench.” That’s how this story started for Paige Durivage of Lewes.

“My next thought is, ‘where am I going to put the bench?” she said.

Durivage placed the winning bid at a live auction held during Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding’s annual Barn Dance fundraiser in October.

“I didn’t know what I was bidding on,” she said.

The next day, Durivage realized she needed help to find a good home for her new bench. 

“I posted on Facebook. About 150 people responded. The majority said the Lewes Historical Society,” she said.

Durivage reached out to the society, which quickly accepted the offer.

That’s how the bench ended up in front of the Lewes Life-Saving Station on the bank of the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal.

“It’s an underutilized space. This is a good step, and we’re really looking to revitalize this waterfront area,” said Andrew Lyter, Lewes Historical Society executive director and curator.

Lyter said the society would like to double the size of the Lewes Life-Saving Station as part of a maritime museum.

“I decided to make this a little bit more personal. I have family in the Coast Guard. My stepfather is Merchant Marine Academy. So there’s no better place for it to sit,” said Durivage.

“This is such an awesome idea she came up with, connecting our organizations through just an act of kindness,” said Jo Allegro-Smith, SDTR’s new executive director.

SDTR helps children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities through equine-assisted activities at its farm in Milton.

“The barn dance is an important event for SDTR, because [providing services] is expensive,” said Allegro-Smith.

The bench was built by an SDTR volunteer at the farm. It is an exact replica of the benches on the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk.

The bench Durivage donated now bears a plaque with her name.

“We’re looking for naming opportunities for the other benches at the farm,” said Linda Berdine, development chair and board member with SDTR.

“I hope the bench invites more people in the community and more visitors to learn more about the life-saving station and what SDTR has to do it with it,” Durivage said. “I hope it’s a conversation piece where people can sit and reflect.”