Howard Schroeder painting donated to Overfalls Foundation

The painting doesn’t have a name, but it will soon have a place.

John Schroeder donated a painting made by his father Howard Schroeder to the Overfalls Foundation.

Schroeder, his wife Sue and other family members joined leadership from the Overfalls at a small ceremony May 27.

The painting depicts the lightship and the Lewes canalfront. The elder Schroeder painted it about 40 years ago, according to John.

The painting belonged to Carolyn Rogers, John’s mother-in-law. She died in March.

“In the will she made, she wanted this painting to go home to the Overfalls,” John said.

Howard Schroeder is considered the father of the coastal Delaware art scene. He was stationed at Fort Miles during World War II. He fell in love with the area and raised his family in a home on Pilottown Road. Lewes was one of his predominant subjects.

Schroeder said his father thought the lightship enhanced the scenery when it arrived in 1972.

“He painted here all the time, from the time he arrived in 1941 at Fort Miles. I have paintings going back where he’s on [the other side] of the canal painting whatever is here,” John said. “We have a number of paintings that include Overfalls.”

Dave Shook, Overfalls Foundation president, said the artwork will hang in the new Overfalls museum that will be built across from the ship, behind the Monomoy pavilion. Construction is scheduled to begin in the fall.

“We’re excited about it; 35 of [Howard Schroeder’s] paintings sold in 40 minutes at the library auction, so we’re blessed to get it,” Shook said.

The Schroeders are just as happy that Howard Schroeder’s work will be there for the world to enjoy.

“The more people who have an opportunity to see my father’s art, especially when it’s of the local area, it’s great,” Schroeder said.