Zwaanendael Museum Is One Of The Strangest Places You Can Go In Delaware
By Melissa Mahoney|Published January 15, 2021
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
In the town of Lewes sits a building that may seem unusual, maybe a little out of place to some. This building is the Zwaanendael Museum and it is fashioned in an architectural style meant to commemorate Delaware’s first European colony of Swanendael which was settled by the Dutch in 1631. But more alluring than the architecture is what’s inside the museum – unique artifacts you won’t see anywhere else, one of which will have you staring in disbelief.
Zwaanendael Museum was built in 1931 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Dutch colony Swanendael. Learn about the history of Dutch settlers as well as the maritime, military, and social history of Lewes on the museum's two floors.
Many interesting and unusual artifacts are exhibited throughout the museum. One such item is this broken plate, found in the wreck of DeBraak, a British Royal Navy warship that sank off the coast of Lewes.
The triangle etched on the bottom may have been a symbol of the Holy Trinity and meant to act as protection. If that's the case, it's ironic that it was found on the sunken ship.
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A Manby mortar is a 19th-century maritime lifesaving cannon device on display here. This was used to shoot a line from shore to a shipwreck in an attempt to save crew members. This is such an interesting and strange item to see since it's rather rare.
You may wonder why canned goods would be on display at a museum. They are part of the more recent Delaware Railroads exhibit, sharing the history of travel and transport by train to and from the state. The canning industry was thriving in Delaware in the early 1900s and canned goods were exported by rail.
None of the objects on display at Zwaanendael Museum come close to the bizarre nature of this next artifact. This is one that will have you scratching your head and wondering what exactly you are looking at. Let's introduce you to the Fiji Merman!
Tales of mermaids have been reported around the world for centuries. Since 1941, the Fiji Merman has been on display at the museum. At first glance, it may look like a small fish/man hybrid. But what is it really?
Well, we don't want to spoil it for you! Visit the Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes to find out the mystery and story behind the Fiji Merman.
From shipwreck artifacts to historical objects of the area to the bizarre Fiji Merman, a visit to Zwaanendael Museum will fascinate and delight any visitor. Experience a sense of wonder in Lewes!
For more information, visit Zwaanendael Museum’s website or Facebook page. Admission is free!
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