Visit Lewes this fall for ‘History Revival: Food and Drink Across Delmarva’ programs

This fall, the Zwaanendael Museum is once again partnering with the Lewes Public Library to bring back the “History Revival” speaker series, this year exploring the fascinating history of local food and drink.

Events will be held in-person and virtually at 5 p.m. on the last three Fridays of October (Oct. 11, Oct, 18 and Oct. 25) as well as on Saturday, Nov. 2 (in-person only), Friday, Nov. 8, and Friday, Nov. 15. All events are free and held at the Lewes Public Library, but registration is required.

On Friday, Oct. 11, “Produce and Dairy Farming in the Small Wonder State” will feature staff from the Agricultural Museum who will provide an overview of a new exhibit recently opened in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution Produce & Food. Then, they will explore the history of the dairy industry in Delaware in advance of another new exhibit, “Dairying in Delaware” (2025).
On Friday, Oct. 18, “Chow Time: The History of Military Food in Delaware” will explore the history of foods consumed by military personnel throughout Delaware’s history from the Revolutionary War to WWII.
On Friday, Oct. 25, “Chickens on Delmarva – 100 Years of Backyard Flocks, Farms and Friends” by retired educator and long-time chicken-keeper Joanne Kurz Guilfoil will provide a visual review of the 100-year history of the chicken industry.
On Saturday, Nov. 2, the in-person-only presentation by documentarian Alexis Aggrey, “Black Watermen of the Chesapeake with Alexis Aggrey,” will include a screening of her film, “Water’s Edge: Black Watermen of the Chesapeake.”
On Friday, Nov. 8, “A Culinary History of Southern Delaware” hosted by Cape Gazette food columnist and author Denise Clemons will explore how today’s home cooks and chefs draw their bounty from the land and sea for a distinct, seasonal cuisine.
On Friday, Nov. 15, “Tea on the Delaware” by Lewes Historical Society’s Marcos Salaverria will explore the history of drinks and drinking in Lewes.

History Revival: Food and Drink Across Delmarva has been made possible in part by Delaware Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom.