Lewes celebrates 350th birthday in 1981
Last week’s historic photograph showed a grand celebration around the Zwaanendael Museum for the City of Lewes’ 300th anniversary. A half-century later, in 1981, city officials opted for a prolonged celebration in honor of the city’s 350th anniversary.
Beginning with the Tulip Festival in April and lasting until October, the celebration included dozens of events dedicated to Lewes’ history and connection to the Dutch.
The celebration had no help from the state, as the Delaware Heritage Commission closed just a month before events were set to begin due to a lack of state funding. It had committed $20,000 to the celebration, and the executive director had been assisting until the closure.
The celebration was spearheaded by Lewes’ John Lehman. It featured tours of historic houses and landmarks, the premiere of a documentary called “Lewes: A Town by the Sea,” and many concerts.
In July 1981, the Delaware Symphony played a composition called “Festive Music for Lewes” that was specifically commissioned by the Lewes Historical Society.
Today, Lewes officials are in the midst of planning for America’s 250th birthday in 2026. Many events are in the works. Soon after, the city will have to shift its focus to planning for Lewes’ quadricentennial in 2031.
