Lewes marker placed in 1931 commemorated

Between discussions of the Mexican wall and the executive order affecting travel to the U.S. from seven nations considered terrorist threats, President Trump has focused extensively on immigration during his first week in office. Immigration, of course, has been part of our nation’s history from its very beginnings. 

In Delaware, state officials in 1931 placed a granite monument on a piece of high ground in Lewes overlooking the mouth of Delaware Bay to commemorate the first European settlement in what would eventually become Delaware.  The marker placement celebrated the 300th anniversary of the landing of the Dutch at this site and their first settlement there.

The marker and its site are now subject to a plan for significant upgrades to better reflect the settlement’s pivotal role in Delaware’s eventual statehood. This photograph was made in February of 1932.