Historic Lewes Tavern Talks to premiere new play Jan. 10

Historic Lewes will kick off its 2025 Tavern Talks series from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 10, with its premiere of “Back to the Bombardment,” an original play by Maritime Museum Manager Dawson Gehrke. 

Performances will also be held Saturday, Jan. 11, and Friday and Saturday, Jan. 17 and 18, at the re-created Sussex Tavern, part of the circa 1740 Stockley-Street House on the Historic Lewes Town Campus, 110 Shipcarpenter St., Lewes.

Written by Gehrke in collaboration with Director of Interpretation Ryan Schwartz, the play takes audiences back to 1813 Lewes during the British bombardment. The story follows James McCracken, a modern-day high school student struggling with an essay on the War of 1812 who unexpectedly encounters his ancestor, Gilbert McCracken, a skilled pilot and defender of Lewes. The cast features Historic Lewes intern Reilly Choma as James and Bill Hicks as Gilbert.

Gehrke, a University of Delaware graduate, began his work at Historic Lewes as a college intern in 2022. Over the years, he has developed a deep understanding of Lewes’ maritime history and the War of 1812 through his work at the Cannonball House and mentorship from naval expert Bill Manthorpe. Drawing on his previous acting experience in Tavern Talks, Gehrke now leads the series while maintaining its focus on historical accuracy and engaging storytelling.

The Tavern Talks series was created in 2018 by Marcos Salaverria and Andrew Lyter to bring history to life by re-creating the energy of early American tavern culture. Originally staged at the Ryves Holt House, the series continues to combine historical theater with the atmosphere of an 18th-century tavern.

For details and reservations, go to historiclewes.org/events.