Share: 

Overfalls breaks ground for museum building

Attending the groundbreaking of the museum support building Oct. 4 are (l-r) Roger Kennedy, Overfalls Foundation President Dave Shook, Lewes Mayor Amy Marasco, volunteer Bob Murphy, Lewes Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Betsy Reamer, board member Ted Hack, Sussex County Councilwoman Jane Gruenebaum, volunteer Dave Bernheisel, Lewes Sen. Russ Huxtable, Overfalls Past President Mike Safina and Lewes Councilman Joe Elder with his grandson Leon. DAN COOK PHOTO
Dan Cook
October 18, 2025

The Overfalls Foundation broke ground for its new museum support building Oct. 4 in Lewes Canalfront Park.

“Today we say goodbye to our old faithful shed that was a gift from a home in Shipcarpenter Square over 20 years ago,” said Overfalls Foundation President Dave Shook. “It was driven down by forklift with two men on each side holding it on. It left last week by flatbed tow truck to the home of the very firefighter who put 750 gallons of water from his pumper truck into the port ballast allowing us to level our listing ship and open for the season.”

The group plans to start construction on the new building within the next two weeks. The grand opening is targeted for Maritime Day Saturday, May 16, 2026.

“We are so very lucky to have the support of our local government representatives who came to help us dig the foundation today, although I believe they overdressed, and the mayor definitely chose the wrong shoes for digging,” Shook said.

He continued, “Your support throughout our 50-plus year history of the Overfalls Foundation has had a huge impact on our success, and we thank you. Our new building will allow us to safely and securely display a much larger exhibit of Delaware maritime and U.S. lightship history for all to view and enjoy. The construction of this building will allow us to better fulfill our responsibilities associated with the Delaware Maritime Hall of Fame for our State of Delaware.”

 

Dave Shook, president of the Overfalls Foundation, thanks attendees for their support. DAN COOK PHOTO
The shed that previously stood where the museum building is being built was taken away in mid-September. DAVE SHOOK PHOTO

Most Popular

Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

Most Popular