The miracle that is Lewes Historical Society

Lewes Historical Society is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. What an amazingly productive and influential 50 years they have been.

Because of the efforts of a handful of visionary and history-passionate people led by Dr. James Marvil, the Lewes community has developed a keen awareness of its rich past. That awareness has contributed immeasurably to the quality of cultural life in the community through the preservation of many historic structures – dating between 1665 and 1898 – and the hundreds of tours, events and programs staged through the decades for the entertainment and enlightenment of residents and visitors.

That awareness has in turn contributed to the evolution of an economic driver that brings an estimated 80,000 visitors annually to the events, programs, tours and Historic Lewes Farmers Market at historical society sites. A study by the Southern Delaware Tourism office estimates that historical society-related events in the Lewes community contribute more than $10 million each year to the local economy in terms of accommodations, dining, shopping, and program and tours revenue.

Clearly, the economy of Delaware's Cape Region would be significantly smaller were it not for Lewes Historical Society's efforts through the decades. In those years the society has grown to include more than 1,000 members and nearly 300 volunteers who do everything from conducting tours, coordinating programs, and selling sodas and hot dogs at craft shows to helping maintain the 12 interpreted historical structures under society care and ownership.

The real miracle of Lewes Historical Society, however, is that it has thrived without the support of any federal, state, county or city money. There have been years when the society barely scraped by and could have used public assistance. Those were in years when our governments were in stronger financial shape than they are now. But the historical society made do.

We are already seeing the existence of many nonprofit organizations jeopardized as an unsustainable federal deficit continues to manifest itself in cutbacks. Lewes Historical Society in its first 50 years serves as an example of what an inspired group of people can accomplish when they recognize core resources in a community that can be preserved and nurtured for the benefit of everyone.