Significant Lewes milestones upcoming

It's all about milestones in Lewes history for the next four years.

This year, Lewes Yacht Club celebrates its 80th anniversary, and the Lewes Historical Society is 50 years old.

2013 marks the 200th anniversary of the bombardment of Lewes by the British during the War of 1812.

2014 will be the 50th anniversary of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.

And in four years, 2016, Beebe Medical Center will celebrate a major milestone of 100 years of serving the community.

In the middle of it all, as it should be, is the Lewes Historical Society working to support all of the other significant milestones by collecting artifacts and memorabilia and recording oral histories. The society has already published its 50th anniversary journal with stories about its origin and what it was like growing up in Lewes in 1962.

LEWES YACHT CLUB – First on the list is the Lewes Yacht Club, said Lewes Historical Society Executive Director Mike DiPaolo. Founded in August 1932 by 17 charter members, the club has grown from a sailing association to a full-service facility with more than 600 members, a pool, marina, sailing school, swim team, racing and dining. Dues the first year were $3 and the first clubhouse was built in 1938. The new modern clubhouse was opened in late 2004.

DiPaolo said the society is partnering with the club to collect historical items and record an oral history of the club and growing up on Lewes Beach in the area of the yacht club. “We want to increase our understanding of the Lewes Yacht Club and the social role it has played in the history of Lewes,” DiPaolo said.

He also wants to document the history of beach life. “That area of Lewes beach had a different vibe,” he said. The society is looking for old photos, films or objects people would be willing to donate or allow the society to copy or borrow for an exhibit or for its archives.

WAR OF 1812 – DiPaolo said plans are under way for a living history weekend April 6-7, 2013, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the British bombardment of Lewes. He didn't want to reveal everything that has been planned yet, but said there will be reenactors, speakers and a day-long symposium on the War of 1812.

CAPE MAY-LEWES FERRY – In 2014, the society will help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. Ferry service, under the auspices of the Delaware River & Bay Authority, began with a ceremonial crossing on July 1, 1964, with great fanfare. As luck would have it, a malfunction caused a long delay in that first crossing. More than 12 million vehicles have made the 17-mile crossing since the early 1960s.

DiPaolo said many people are not aware that several private ferrys dating back to at least the early 1900s made the crossing, but none were financial successes and all folded. “In compiling an oral history, we'd like to know people's thoughts on this huge project. Was it controversial? Were people excited?” he asked.

DiPaolo said there are still many people around the area who have memories of the first few years of the ferry. The society is looking for home movies, photographs, souvenirs, programs and schedules of those early years. “There are a lot of people still around who remember that first crossing,” he said. “We want to know what was going on here in the 1960s,” he said.

DiPaolo said the early 1960s was a time of change for Lewes with the closing of the fish factory and opening of Cape Henlopen State Park. “Lewes was known as a small fishing town, and some people have told me they were ashamed to say they lived in Lewes,” DiPaolo said. “What was going on back then? We would love to get people's feelings.”

Obviously, much has changed over the past 50 years as Lewes has forged its own identity and embraced its maritime history.

BEEBE MEDICAL CENTER – Even though Beebe's 100th anniversary is four years away, DiPaolo said the society has already started inventorying and cataloging Beebe's historical collection. Doctors James and Richard C. Beebe opened Delaware's first private hospital outside of Wilmington in 1916. A major contribution in 1921 by Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Shaw helped to expand the hospital to its current location.

As with the other celebrations, DiPaolo said the society will compile an oral history and also collect hospital memorabilia. “It's things that make history come alive,” DiPaolo said.

DiPaolo said it's important that the organizations are looking to the society to help promote and provide expertise. “We look at ourselves as Lewes' memory. That's what we are here for, to help community members with their significant milestones,” he said.

Contact DiPaolo at 645-7670 or go to the website at historiclewes.org.