Cannonball House | Lewes

A Survivor of War and Time
The Cannonball House in Lewes stands quietly at the corner of Front and Bank Streets, a sturdy brick structure with weathered shutters and an unmistakable scar in its foundation-a British cannonball, still lodged where it struck during the War of 1812. Once a waterfront home and later a symbol of the town’s endurance, this modest building now serves as the Lewes Historical Society’s Maritime Museum. Its story captures both the fragility and resilience of coastal Delaware, where history has never been far from the tides.

From Home to Historical Landmark
Built around 1760, the Cannonball House was originally a private residence overlooking the busy Lewes harbor. Its Georgian architecture, with symmetrical windows and Flemish bond brickwork, reflected the prosperity of a small but thriving port town engaged in trade, fishing, and shipbuilding. During the War of 1812, Lewes came under British naval bombardment in April 1813 after refusing demands for provisions. One of the cannonballs fired from offshore ships struck the house-embedding itself in the foundation and giving the building its enduring name. That mark of defiance remains visible today, a rare and tangible reminder of Delaware’s brush with war.

A Maritime Museum with Deep Local Roots
Inside, the Cannonball House has been carefully restored and transformed into a museum dedicated to the maritime history of Lewes and the Delaware Bay. Exhibits explore centuries of seafaring life-piloting, shipwrecks, lighthouses, and the heroic rescues of the U.S. Lifesaving Service. Artifacts include ship models, navigational tools, sea charts, and relics recovered from the waters offshore. Old portraits and black-and-white photographs trace the evolution of Lewes from a colonial port to a modern seaside town, while exhibits on shipwrecks reveal the danger and drama that have long defined this coastline.

The Atmosphere of the Old Port
Stepping inside feels like entering both a home and a vessel. The wide-plank floors creak softly underfoot, and the scent of aged wood and sea air lingers in the rooms. Curators often emphasize not just the facts of maritime history, but the human side-the captains, sailors, and families who built their lives around the sea. On quiet afternoons, sunlight spills through the wavy glass windows, casting soft patterns on the museum’s nautical displays, while outside the faint sound of gulls connects the present-day harbor to its storied past.

Preserving Lewes’s Maritime Spirit
The Cannonball House is more than a museum-it is a cornerstone of Lewes’s identity. It reflects the courage of a small town that stood its ground against foreign attack and honors generations who lived by the rhythm of the bay. Whether viewed as a relic of war, a celebration of craftsmanship, or a testament to survival, the house remains one of Delaware’s most evocative historic landmarks. Visitors leave with the image of that embedded cannonball still clear in mind-a silent but powerful reminder of how deeply history can leave its mark.