Termites force demolition of historic Lewes house
The house at 111 Coleman Ave. in Lewes has been there for more than 150 years, but a termite infestation means it will not be there much longer.
The house is owned by brothers Darryl and Darnell Daisey, members of one of the city’s most prominent African American families.
The pre-railroad folk-style house has been in the Daisey family for more than 100 years. It was built in 1870 as servants’ quarters.
The Lewes Historic Preservation Architectural Review Commission considers the house to be a contributing structure to the historic district, because it was built before 1940. HPARC approved renovations to the house Feb. 1, 2024.
The renovations called for extending the front-porch roof, replacing the siding, and door and window trim. They would also be adding a full second floor to an extension in the rear of the house.
But as those renovations got underway this summer, it became clear the tiny insects had caused a big problem.
“There was extensive termite damage, and a lot of what we wanted to preserve is no longer safe,” said Darryl Daisey.
The house was stripped down to its frame. The city’s building inspector condemned the structure and approved demolition, according to Kevin Mallinson, HPARC chair. He said HPARC had no role in that decision.
Mallinson said he will read a letter from the city attorney explaining the demolition decision at the Thursday, Aug. 7 HPARC meeting.
Mallinson said the Daiseys will have to go before the Lewes Board of Adjustment to ask for a variance because the new house would be too close to the property line.
Darryl Daisey said they are likely to present to the board in September. He said it has not been determined whether they will then need to return to HPARC to present the application for the new house.
Daisey said his family just wants to get the approval done quickly.
“We’re trying to cooperate as best we can,” Daisey said.
Bill Shull has been covering Lewes for the Cape Gazette since 2023. He comes to the world of print journalism after 40 years in TV news. Bill has worked in his hometown of Philadelphia, as well as Atlanta and Washington, D.C. He came to Lewes in 2014 to help launch WRDE-TV. Bill served as WRDE’s news director for more than eight years, working in Lewes and Milton. He is a 1986 graduate of Penn State University. Bill is an avid aviation and wildlife photographer, and a big Penn State football, Eagles, Phillies and PGA Tour golf fan. Bill, his wife Jill and their rescue cat, Lucky, live in Rehoboth Beach.
