One of Lewes’s most beloved holiday traditions – the 40th Annual Christmas Tour of Lewes benefiting The Lewes Historical Society and presented by Community Bank Delaware – is set for Saturday, December 7, from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Advance tickets are $20.00 each; tickets purchased the day of the tour are $25.00. Children under 12 are FREE when accompanied by an adult.
Advance tickets are now on sale at www.HistoricLewes.org or by calling 302-64507670. Tickets may also be purchased at the Society’s Ryves Holt House Museum Gift Shop at the corner of Second and Mulberry Streets in historic Lewes. Please note that all tickets from online sales and phone requests will be held at the Museum Gift Shop. They will be available for pick-up beginning Monday, November 18, within two business days of your online order.
Beginning mid-November, tickets can also be purchased in Lewes at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and the Zwaanendael Museum (both Kings Highway), Community Bank Delaware on Coastal Highway, Habersham Peddlers on Second Street, or The Inn at Canal Square on Front Street. In Rehoboth Beach, tickets may be purchased at the Rehoboth Beach Museum or Browseabout Books on Rehoboth Avenue.
A wonderful selection of homes is on this year’s tour, from 18th century delights and 19th century beauties to 20th century masterpieces. The Society’s Director Mike DiPaolo noted, “The purpose of the tour is not only to experience the fabric of Lewes history and to learn about great architecture, but to recognize Lewes as both historic and contemporary.”
Houses on tour will include:
1. 118 School Lane, home of Mary Ellen Humes
2. 214 Mulberry Street, home of Amy & Tom Felker
3. 108 West Third Street, home of Karen Valihura
4. 105 East Third Street, home of Arlene & Don Matzkin
5. 217 Bay Avenue, home of Kathryn & Richard Chefetz
6. 240 Second Street, home of Nancy Staisey & Stan Divorski
7. 26 Shipcarpenter Square, home of Rosanne & Bob Dillman
8. 302 Burton Avenue, home of Mary McLeod
9. 408 Burton Avenue, home of Jackie Finer
Beyond the nine private homes on tour this year, the Society’s museums will be open and decorated for the season. During the tour, The Lewes Historical Society will host a Christmas Antiques Bazaar and Bake Sale, held at the Rabbit's Ferry House at Third and Shipcarpenter Streets on the Lewes Historic Complex. It will also be a wonderful chance to do a bit of shopping for the holidays at the Antiques Bazaar, featuring a selection of small furniture, collectables, dishware, jewelry and more. Also enjoy hot coffee, chili and delicious baked goods. Outside of the house will be a Holiday Greens Sale featuring fresh magnolia, pine and holly- while supplies last.
New this year, in Midway Schoolhouse at the Historic Complex, children are invited to help The Lewes Historical Society trim their tree and explore traditional Christmas decorations. Children can make their own cinnamon applesauce and orange clove ornaments. They will have the chance to mix ingredients, roll out dough, and use cookie cutters to make their own ornament to take home. Children will also get a chance to make designs with cloves in oranges to create scented ornaments that will brighten up the holiday season.
Christmas Tour of Lewes tickets and a great selection of gifts will be on hand at the Society’s Museum Gift Shop, located in the Ryves Holt House on the corner of Second and Mulberry Streets in historic Lewes. Society members are invited to enjoy a 10% discount on all Museum Gift Shop items.
During the Christmas Tour of Lewes, organizations such as the Col. David Hall DAR Chapter and the Zwaanendael Club will open their doors to the public. In addition, several area churches will have events and luncheons, Children’s Beach House will have a Holiday Art Show & Sale, and Lewes Yacht Club will have an indoor Craft Fair and luncheon. The Lewes Christmas Parade will take place from 5-7pm. After the parade, wander over to Zwaanendael Park for the tree-lighting and caroling.
The Christmas Tour of Lewes benefits The Lewes Historical Society and is presented by Community Bank Delaware. Sponsors include Schell Brothers and Wilgus Insurance. House sponsors include Cadbury at Lewes, Design Ideas by John Lester, Dickson Carroll Architect, Griswold Home Care, Jeanine O'Donnell of State Farm Insurance, Peninsula Gallery, Russ Palmer Builders, Sombar & Co., CPA PA, The Inn at Canal Square, and Zando Designs.
For more information about the Christmas Tour of Lewes or about The Lewes Historical Society, please visitwww.HistoricLewes.org or call 302-645-7670.