“It Floats!” Lewes Historical Society Family Boat Build Weekend a success
Lewes was a shipbuilding town from the 1600s until the mid 1800s. Hundreds of vessels of all sizes were built on Lewes Creek, now called the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal. The tradition of boat building continues, as The Lewes Historical Society annually welcomes community groups and families to preregister and participate in the Family Boat Building Weekend in historic Lewes.
It was a lovely weekend by the canal at the Lewes Life-Saving Station for those who participated in, and supported, this year’s Family Boat Building Weekend June 15-17.
The Wooden Boat Volunteer Crew taught participating groups how to construct 12-foot Bevin Skiffs. Beginning with a kit assembled by volunteers, the groups finished with their very own handmade boats. The boats are then launched at the Lewes Canalfront Park where the builders realize that they not only constructed really amazing vessels, but their boats really do float.
For the first year, The Lewes Historical Society invited craftsmen who constructed their own small wooden boats including sailboats, rowboats, canoes, kayaks, etc, to display their work during the Family Boat Building Weekend.
Also at Family Boat Building Weekend, the winning ticket was drawn for the 2012 Wooden Boat Raffle. Tina Parlaman’s winning ticket was drawn by Councilwoman Bonnie Osler. Parlaman won a 12-foot Sailing Bevin Skiff built by the Wooden Boat Volunteer Crew. Proceeds benefit The Lewes Historical Society’s educational programs.
The 2012 builders included the Caputo family; Childers family; West Rehoboth New Beginnings sponsored by the Issel family; Naplachowski family; Big Brothers Big Sisters sponsored by the Issel family; the Okoniewski family; and the Banning family.
Nancy Raihall, a case manager with Big Brothers Big Sisters, was very excited to have her group sponsored by Big Sister Diane Issel. Nancy noted, “The Boat Building program is a wonderful teambuilding experience. It has been a pleasure watching the comradery between the ‘Bigs’ and ‘Littles’ as they work together.”
Oars and oarlocks for the boats were donated by the Hansot family, Issel family, Klineburger family, Kotowski family, Sydnor family, ONI MRI Centers and Striper Bites.
This year’s Family Boat Building Weekend wouldn’t be possible without the support from generous donors including Delaware Realty, Herring Creek Builders, the Issel Family Foundation, Mr. P's Wood Fired Pizzeria, Pilots Association for the Bay & River Delaware, Touch of Italy Salumeria & Pasticceria and West Marine of Rehoboth.The Lewes Yacht Club Foundation provided program grant funding.
The Wooden Boat Volunteer Crew keeps this program running year-round as they construct boats to be raffled to benefit The Lewes Historical Society and build the kits necessary for groups to assemble their boats during the Boat Building Weekend. Stop by Fred’s Barn at the Historic Complex at 110 Shipcarpenter Street, Lewes, during the Historic Lewes Farmers Market to enter in the handmade boat raffle and see the crew at work.
Anyone who would like to register for next year’s boat build, sponsor a boat for a community group or family, join the volunteer crew or learn more about The Lewes Historical Society Wooden Boat Program, should go to www.HistoricLewes.org or call 302-645-7670.
