“Hunting for Hudson: A Quest to Understand the Explorer “Hunting for Hudson: A Quest to Understand the Explorer and his Connection to the Delaware Bay” 

Lecture at Lewes, Del.’s Zwaanendael Museum on Sept. 9, 2017

On Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 at 2 p.m., the Zwaanendael Museum, located at 102 Kings Highway in Lewes, Del., will present “Hunting for Hudson,” a lecture by historic-site interpreter Kaitlyn Dykes on Henry Hudson and his connection to the Delaware Bay. The program is the first installment of “Global to Local: International Events and the First State,” a six-part series exploring how world events impacted Delaware’s history. The program will be held on the museum’s 2nd floor (entry via staircase; no elevator). Admission is free but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling the museum at 302-645-1148 no later than Sept. 8, 2017.

Henry Hudson was an English mariner who explored wide sections of what is now the eastern coastal sections of Canada and the United States. Hired by the Dutch East India Company in 1609, Hudson sailed into both the Delaware Bay and the Hudson River, staking a Dutch claim to the region that later became known as New Netherland.-More- “Hunting for Hudson”

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. The museum’s exhibits and presentations provide a showcase for Lewes-area maritime, military and social history.Following is a long-range schedule of Zwaanendael-Museum-sponsored special events. All programs take place at the Zwaanendael Museum located at 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, Del. From April 1 to Oct. 31, museum hours 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. Unless otherwise noted, all programs are free and open to the public. For additional information, call 302-645-1148.

Long-range calendar of Zwaanendael Museum special events

Monday, Sept. 4, 2017 Labor Day. Museum open.

Wednesdays, Sept. 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2017 “Lost Off Lewes: The British Warship DeBraak.” Special tour explores the 18th-century history, artifacts and the surviving hull section of this shipwreck. 9 a.m. Limited seating. Admission $10 (cash or check only). For reservations, e-mail [email protected] or call 302-645-1148.

Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 “Hunting for Hudson.” Lecture by historic-site interpreter Kaitlyn Dykes on Henry Hudson and his connection to the Delaware Bay. Part one of “Global to Local: International Events and the First State,” a six-part lecture series exploring the international events that shaped the First State. Program at 2 p.m. on the museum’s 2nd floor (entry via staircase; no elevator). Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations for the lecture are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Sept. 8, 2017.

Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017 “Nanticoke.” Lecture by Sterling Street, coordinator for the Nanticoke Indian Museum in Millsboro, Del. Program at 2 p.m. on the museum’s 2nd floor (entry via staircase; no elevator). Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations for the lecture are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Sept. 22, 2017.

Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017 “A Dead Whale or a Stove Boat, Part One.” Lecture by historic-site interpreter Andrew Lyter on the early days of the American whaling industry (1620–1783). Part two of “Global to Local: International Events and the First State,” a six-part lecture series exploring how world events impacted Delaware’s history. Held in conjunction with Lewes’ annual Boast the Coast festival, the event will also feature a day-long slate of historical games and maritime-history activities. Program at 2 p.m. on the museum’s 2nd floor (entry via staircase; no elevator). Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations for the lecture are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Sept. 29, 2017.

Monday, Oct. 9, 2017 Columbus Day. Museum closed.

Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017 “Mysteries of History.” Walking tour by lead historic-site-interpreter Beth Gott explores the unusual tombstones of St. Peter’s cemetery in Lewes. Tours leaves from the Zwaanendael Museum at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations for the tours are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Oct. 27, 2017.

Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 Veterans Day. Museum open.

Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 Dutch-American Heritage Day. Celebrate the anniversary of Nov. 16, 1776 when an American warship sailed into the harbor of the Dutch island of St. Eustatius in the West Indies and was greeted by a friendly salute, the first ever given by a foreign power to the flag of the newly-independent United States. Activities include Dutch crafts, historical information and, at 2 p.m.,”An Overview of the Environmental History of the Delmarva Peninsula,” a lecture by historic-site interpreter Alan Roth. Environmental history lecture on the museum’s 2nd floor (entry via staircase; no elevator). Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations for the lecture are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Nov. 17, 2017.

Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017 Thanksgiving Day. Museum closed.

Friday, Nov. 24, 2017Day After Thanksgiving. Museum open.

Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017 “Hospitality Night.” Holiday-themed program in which the museum will be decorated for the season by the Sussex Gardeners including luminarias lighting the entrance walkway. Activities will include historical interpreters, demonstrations, music and seasonal refreshments. Presented in partnership with the Lewes Chamber of Commerce. 5–8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 “Tour Zwaanendael Museum.” Enjoy the museum’s festive holiday-décor created by the Sussex Gardeners. Event held in conjunction with the Lewes Historical Society’s Christmas Tour of Lewes. 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017 “A Dead Whale or a Stove Boat, Part Two.” Lecture by historic-site interpreter Andrew Lyter on the glory days of the American whaling industry (1783–1861). Part three of “Global to Local: International Events and the First State,” a six-part lecture series exploring how world events impacted Delaware’s history. Program at 2 p.m. on the museum’s 2nd floor (entry via staircase; no elevator). Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations for the lecture are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Dec. 8, 2017.

Zwaanendael Museum exhibits and displays Thru Dec. 31, 2017 “Rose Color to Gold to Glowing Red: Orville and Ethel Peets in Paris 1913-1914.” Exhibit featuring paintings and painting materials used by the noted Delaware artists Orville Houghton Peets and Ethel Canby Peets.

Monday, Dec. 25, 2017 Christmas Day. Museum closed.

Monday, Jan. 1, 2018 New Year’s Day. Museum closed.

Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018 “Buccaneers in the Bay.” Lecture by historic-site interpreter Kaitlyn Dykes on the pirates of Lewes, Del. Part four of a six-part lecture series exploring how world events impacted Delaware’s history. Program at 2 p.m. on the museum’s 2nd floor (entry via staircase; no elevator). Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations for the lecture are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Jan. 12, 2018.

Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018 ”Seafarers Folk Art.” Program featuring demonstrations and hands-on activities. Part five of “Global to Local: International Events and the First State,” a six-part series exploring how world events impacted Delaware’s history. Program at 2 p.m. on the museum’s 2nd floor (entry via staircase; no elevator). Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations for the lecture are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Feb. 16, 2018.

Saturday, March 24, 2018 “A Dead Whale or a Stove Boat, Part Three.” Lecture by historic-site interpreter Andrew Lyter on the decline and death of the American whaling industry (1861–1927). Final segment of “Global to Local: International Events and the First State,” a six-part series exploring how world events impacted Delaware’s history. Program at 2 p.m. on the museum’s 2nd floor (entry via staircase; no elevator). Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations for the lecture are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than March 23, 2018.

Ongoing “A Seaborne Citizenry: The DeBraak and Its Atlantic World.” Exhibit utilizes artifacts recovered from His Majesty’s Sloop of War DeBraak, a British warship that sank off the Delaware coast on May 25, 1798 to tell the story of the vessel, its crew and the historical context within which it operated in the Atlantic World of the late 18th century.

Ongoing “Discovering Delaware’s Maritime Past.” Display explores the DeBraak, a shipwrecked 18th-century British warship including a photo of the hull recovery, reproductions of items aboard ship, and a model of the vessel.

The Zwaanendael Museum is administered by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, an agency of the State of Delaware. The division enhances Delaware’s quality of life by preserving the state’s unique historical heritage, fostering community stability and economic vitality and providing educational programs and assistance to the general public on Delaware history and heritage. The division’s diverse array of services includes operation of five museums which are accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, administration of the State Historic Preservation Office, conservation of the state’s archaeological and historic-objects collections, operation of a conference center and management of historic properties across the state. Primary funding for division programs and services is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, a federal agency. However, the contents and opinions expressed in the division’s programs and services do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Department of the Interior.