Zwaanendael Museum

Zwaanendael Museum Built in 1931, the Zwaanendael Museum commemorates the Swaanendael colony, the first European colony to come to what would be Delaware in 1631.

The museum features a variety of exhibits that display Lewes, Sussex County, and Delaware history.

What does a surgeon from the French Royal Navy have to do with Delaware?October 1777 saw the Philadelphia Campaign end w...
10/13/2026

What does a surgeon from the French Royal Navy have to do with Delaware?

October 1777 saw the Philadelphia Campaign end with the British capture of Philadelphia, the early United States capital. It also saw the major defeat of a British force in the Saratoga Campaign with a much needed American victory. That victory secured a formal alliance with the Kingdom of France, Great Britain's biggest enemy. Starting in 1778 the French began sending much needed supplies, weapons, uniforms and soldiers to help the United States in their fight for independence.

In 1780 a French force of over 6,000 troops under the command of French Lieutenant General Rochambeau arrived in America. Among those troops was a surgeon by the name of Joseph Philippe Eugene Capelle. Dr. Capelle served as a surgeon with Lauzun's Legion or the "Le Légion des Voluntaries Étrangers de Lauzun" a French mixed unit of infantry, artillery and cavalry of foreign volunteers. The unit was not part of the French Royal Army, but rather the French Royal Navy's foreign volunteer corps. They were under the command of Armand Louis de Gontaut the Duke of Lauzun. Dr. Capelle also served on the staff of Marquis de Lafayette as a surgeon.

In 1782, Dr. Capelle joined Lauzun's Legion in Wilmington, DE when it was stationed there for winter quarters. Following the end of the war, Dr. Capelle briefly returned to France before returning to Delaware where he settled in Wilmington. Upon returning to Delaware, he married and started a family. He also served as a founding member of the Delaware Medical Society. Dr. Capelle died in 1796 and is buried in Old Swedes Churchyard in Wilmington along with other soldiers from Lauzun's Legion.

Illustrated here is Dr. Joseph Philippe Eugene Capelle as surgeon with Lauzun's Legion. Due to the unit being administered by the French Royal Navy, Dr. Capelle wears the uniform of a naval surgeon. He wears a blue coat with a standing collar and scarlet facings. The coat has gilt buttons and buttonhole lace. His waistcoat and breeches are of scarlet. The breeches have gilt lace trim and he wears silk sky blue stockings. His hat is cocked hat is black and trimmed with gilt.

Download the uncolored version to use as a coloring page to enjoy at home or stop by the Zwaanendael Museum and grab a copy!


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How is it already October?! Fall has arrived, and the Zwaanendael Museum is here for you to visit all year round. The Mu...
10/07/2026

How is it already October?! Fall has arrived, and the Zwaanendael Museum is here for you to visit all year round. The Museum is open Wednesday - Saturday from 10a.m. to 4:15p.m.

Join one of our free Mysteries of History Walking Tours this month! Perfect for history lovers. Registration is required for this program, and spots are filling up fast! The following tours still have room:
🔸Saturday, October 10th, 2p.m.
🔸Saturday, October 17th, 2p.m.
🔸Saturday, October 24th, 2p.m.
🔸Thursday, October 29th, 2p.m.
🔸Saturday, October 31th, 2p.m.

Call the museum at (302) 645-1148 or email us at [email protected] to register.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month recognizing the impact people with disabilities have in our co...
10/06/2026

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month recognizing the impact people with disabilities have in our country's workforce. During the American Revolutionary War, early American leaders recognized the contributions soldiers disabled by the war could still offer to the nation's fight for independence. To do this the Continental Congress formed the Invalid Regiment in June 1777. The regiment was commonly referred to as the Corps of Invalids.

The corps was made up of soldiers who were disabled by wounds or were too old to fight but could still offer invaluable service to the Continental Army. These men served as guards at various Continental Army posts such as hospitals, depots, as well as patriot occupied cities. In addition to guard and garrison duties these men also served a military instructors helping to train new soldiers. Important posts the Corps of Invalids were stationed include Philadelphia and West Point. The Corps also allowed much needed soldiers to fight elsewhere. With the end of the war in 1783, the corps was disbanded.

Illustrated here are two soldiers of the Corps of Invalids wearing the unit's reported uniforms. The soldier on the left wears an all green wool regimental coat lined with white and brass buttons. He wears a white waistcoat and breeches. The soldier on the right wears a heavy red wool overcoat over his regimental coat. He has an eye patch covering his right eye, a scar from battle. Both men wear black cocked hats with white trim or tape. As guards they are each armed with a musket, a bayonet and short sword called a hanger.

Download the uncolored version to use as a coloring page to enjoy at home or stop by the Zwaanendael Museum and grab a copy!


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Join the Zwaanendael Museum tomorrow for Loyalist on the Lawn- the last one of the season! Visit the Loyalist encampment...
10/02/2026

Join the Zwaanendael Museum tomorrow for Loyalist on the Lawn- the last one of the season! Visit the Loyalist encampment next to the Zwaanendael Museum and learn about this differing view on the Revolutionary War.

This might be the last Loyalist on the Lawn program for 2026, but this won't be the last time you can see the Loyalist himself. You'll be able to visit our costumed interpreter at these upcoming events across the state:
🔹Historic Lewes's Harvest Fair, October 17th & 18th.
🔹First State Heritage Park's Delaware Heritage Festival, Nov. 1st.
🔹Fort Miles's Dressed for Defense Day, November 8th
🔹Hospitality Night at the Zwaanendael Museum, December 3rd.

10/02/2026

SAVE THE DATE!

The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs (HCA) cordially invites you to the John Dickinson Plantation Visitor Center Opening and Ribbon Cutting.

When: Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM

Where: 250 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE 19901

We are thrilled to open this new facility, which features dedicated community meeting space and exciting educational opportunities. The grand opening will mark the debut of our new exhibition, “One Land Many Voices.”

Following the ceremony, we invite you to stay and enjoy Revolutionary Trades Day, running from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

This event is free and open to the public. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Our hours are changing! Beginning October 6th, the Zwaanendael Museum will move to off-season hours. The museum will be ...
09/30/2026

Our hours are changing! Beginning October 6th, the Zwaanendael Museum will move to off-season hours. The museum will be closed on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. We will be open Wednesday - Saturday from 10a.m. to 4:15p.m.

The museum is open all year round! We do not close during the winter months, so you can visit anytime during the posted hours. We look forward to seeing you this fall.

The 7th Maryland Regiment.In honor of the 249th Anniversary of the Battle of Germantown this weekend, let us introduce t...
09/29/2026

The 7th Maryland Regiment.

In honor of the 249th Anniversary of the Battle of Germantown this weekend, let us introduce the 7th Maryland Regiment of the Continental Army. The 7th Maryland Regiment was formed in late 1776. At least three Delawareans have been identified as serving in the 7th Maryland Regiment. One of those Delawareans was Sergeant George Fulbam who was wounded at the Battle of Germantown on October 4, 1777. His pension claim states he was wounded in the leg but continued to serve till atleast 1782. After 1778 the 7th Maryland Regiment was sent to the southern theater and fought at the Battles of Camden and Guilford Courthouse.

Illustrated here is a sergeant and private of the 7th Maryland Regiment. Both are wearing the early uniforms of the regiment. The sergeant standing on the left is wearing the uniform reported to be worn in the Fall of 1777. He wears a gray wool regimental coat with red facings and pewter buttons. on the right shoulder of his coat is a red epaulette denoting his rank as a sergeant. His waistcoat, breeches and stockings are of white.

The private kneeling on the right is wearing the earliest reported uniform of the regiment. He wears a blue wool regimental coat with green facings and pewter buttons. His waistcoat and stockings are blue and he has on brown leather breeches. Both men wear black cocked hats with white trim or tape as well as black canvas half gaiters over their shoes. Starting in late 1778, the standard uniform for all regiments from Maryland were blue wool regimental coats with red facings.

Download the uncolored version to use as a coloring page to enjoy at home or stop by the Zwaanendael Museum and grab a copy!


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Join the Zwaanendael Museum this Saturday for Spotlight Delaware's Family Fun Day! We will be offering a fall themed Sai...
09/23/2026

Join the Zwaanendael Museum this Saturday for Spotlight Delaware's Family Fun Day! We will be offering a fall themed Sailor Valentine craft on the 2nd floor of the museum. ⁠
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The Zwaanendael Museum is one of many attractions across Delaware participating in this event! Learn more and register in advance by visiting the link here: https://spotlightdelaware.org/first-state-fun-day/⁠
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Keeping the cannons firing!Today the United States Army's Ordnance Corps is responsible for most anything involving the ...
09/22/2026

Keeping the cannons firing!

Today the United States Army's Ordnance Corps is responsible for most anything involving the U.S. Army's weapons and equipment. During the American Revolutionary War this job fell upon the men and officers of the Regiment of Artillery Artificers. The regiment was commanded by Colonel Benjamin Flower of Philadelphia. His regiment built and fixed cannons, wagons, cartridge boxes, canteens, and other vital military equipment for the Continental Army. Almost all the men were artisans prior to war such as blacksmiths, gunsmiths, carpenters, etc..

At least one Delawarean, Peter Lawson of Dover served as a private in Flower's regiment. Lawson was part of Captain Noah Nichols' company within the regiment. Though these men most likely did not take part in combat their services would have been invaluable to the Continental Army.

Illustrated here is private of Colonel Benjamin Flower's Artillery Artificers Regiment as it was sometimes known. He wears a blue wool regimental coat with red facings and lining. His breeches and waistcoat are also of red wool and white stockings. He wears a black cocked hat with yellow trim or tape. He wears a black cartridge box and bayonet shoulder carriage. Even though he is an artificer, he would be expected to stand guard over arsenals and equipment. He is building a gun carriage, so he holds lumber in one hand and a hammer in the other. A hand drill or brace lays at his feet.

Download the uncolored version to use as a coloring page to enjoy at home or stop by the Zwaanendael Museum and grab a copy!


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Address

102 Kings Highway
Lewes, DE
19958

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 4:15pm
Thursday 10am - 4:15pm
Friday 10am - 4:15pm
Saturday 10am - 4:15pm

Telephone

+13026451148

Website

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