-Listing of museum events through June 2014 also included-

During the month of April 2014, the Zwaanendael Museum, located at 102 Kings Highway in Lewes, Del., will present four special programs on Delaware history. All programs listed are free and open to the public. For additional information, call 302-744-5055.

On Saturday, April 5 at 2 p.m., the museum will present “The Environment in Colonial Delaware,” a lecture by historic-site interpreter Alan Roth held in commemoration of Earth Day. Due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling the museum at 302-645-1148 no later than April 2, 2014.

Delaware’s long-standing connection to the Netherlands—which stretches back in time to the state’s first European colony, Swanendael, established by the Dutch in 1631 in present-day Lewes—will be explored in three programs that will take place throughout the month. From Thursday to Saturday, April 10 to 12, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the museum will feature Dutch games, crafts and a display of Delftware ceramics as part of the Lewes Tulip Festival, a city-wide series of activities celebrating Lewes’ Dutch roots.

On Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the museum will celebrate Dutch-American Friendship Day which commemorates April 19, 1782, the day that John Adams, who would later become the second president of the United States, was received by the States General in The Hague and recognized as Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America. It was also the day that the house he had purchased at Fluwelen Burgwal 18 in The Hague was to become the first American embassy in the world.

Finally, on Saturday, April 26 , from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the museum will present King’s Day, a celebration of the birthday of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands including the presentation “From Koninginnedag to Koningsdag: A Transition in the Dutch Royal House of Orange” at 2 p.m.

The Zwaanendael Museum was built in 1931 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the state’s first European colony, Swanendael, established by the Dutch along Hoorn Kill (present-day Lewes-Rehoboth Canal) in 1631. Designed by E. William Martin (architect of Legislative Hall and the Hall of Records in Dover), the museum is modeled after the town hall in Hoorn, the Netherlands, and features a stepped facade gable with carved stonework and decorated shutters.

Zwaanendael Museum exhibits and presentations provide a showcase for Lewes-area maritime, military and social history. Current exhibits include “A Seaborne Citizenry: The DeBraak and Its Atlantic World” which tells the story of His Majesty’s Sloop of War DeBraak, a British warship that sank off the Delaware coast on May 25, 1798; and “Delaware and the War of 1812” which examines the service and sacrifice of Delawareans of 1812 to 1815, and the important role that the state played in a conflict that helped shape the development of the United States as a nation.

Following is a schedule of Zwaanendael-Museum-sponsored special events through June 2014. Unless otherwise noted, all programs take place at the Zwaanendael Museum located at 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE 19958. Museum hours from April 1 to Oct. 31 are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. From Nov. 1 to March 31, museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free for all events listed. For additional information, call 302-645-1148.

Saturday, April 5, 2014
“The Environment in Colonial Delaware.” Lecture by historic-site interpreter Alan Roth. Held in commemoration of Earth Day. 2 p.m. Due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than April 2, 2014.

Thursday–Saturday, April 10-12, 2014
Lewes Tulip Festival. City-wide series of activities celebrating Lewes’ Dutch heritage including Dutch games, crafts and a display of Delftware ceramics at the Zwaanendael Museum. Sponsored by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce. Downtown Lewes, Del. 302-645-8073. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 19, 2014
Dutch-American Friendship Day. Discover Delaware’s Dutch roots and learn how that connection is alive today. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 26, 2014
King’s Day. Celebration of the birthday of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands in a program that will also explore royal titles and Delaware’s Dutch connection including the presentation “From Koninginnedag to Koningsdag: A Transition in the Dutch Royal House of Orange” at 2 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Note updated program information.

Saturday, May 24, 2014
3rd Annual Zwaanendael Maritime Festival. Maritime-themed activities, games, displays by local organizations and more. 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Sunday, June 15, 2014
“16th Annual Chautauqua Tent Show: ‘With Malice Toward None…Delaware Life During the Civil War.’ ” Day-long series of activities culminating with re-enactors portraying historic personalities. Programs begin at Noon and culminate at 7 p.m. when Daisy Century of the American Historical Theatre portrays abolitionist and Union spy Harriet Tubman. Note updated program information.

Monday, June 16, 2014
“16th Annual Chautauqua Tent Show: ‘With Malice Toward None…Delaware Life During the Civil War.’ ” Day-long series of activities culminating with re-enactors portraying historic personalities. Programs begin at Noon 1 p.m. and culminate at 7 p.m. when Patricia Troilo of the American Historical Theatre portrays Civil War nurse and founder of the American Red Cross Clara Barton. Note updated program information and time change.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014
“16th Annual Chautauqua Tent Show: ‘With Malice Toward None…Delaware Life During the Civil War.’ ” Concert. Performer TBA. Stango Park, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes, DE 19958. 7 p.m.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014
“16th Annual Chautauqua Tent Show: ‘With Malice Toward None…Delaware Life During the Civil War.’ ” Day-long series of activities culminating with re-enactors portraying historic personalities. Programs begin at Noon 1 p.m. and culminate at 7 p.m. when Robert Gleason of the American Historical Theatre portrays President Abraham Lincoln. Lewes Historical Society complex, 110 Shipcarpenter St., Lewes. Note updated program information and time change.

Thursday, June 19, 2014
“16th Annual Chautauqua Tent Show: ‘With Malice Toward None…Delaware Life During the Civil War.’ ” Day-long series of activities culminating with re-enactors portraying historic personalities. Programs begin at Noon 1 p.m. and culminate at 7 p.m. when David Scott Taylor of the American Historical Theatre portrays poet and Civil War nurse Walt Whitman. Lewes Historical Society complex, 110 Shipcarpenter St., Lewes. Note updated program information and time change.

Contact:
Jim Yurasek
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
Phone:  302-736-7413
E-mail:  Jim.Yurasek@delaware.gov
Web:   http://history.delaware.gov

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