DeBraak tours offer behind-the-scenes look

This summer, a new tour offered by the Zwaanendael Museum allowed Delaware locals and beach vacationers the opportunity to get a closer look at the HMS DeBraak. Over 100 people took part in the “Walk to DeBraak” tours, which ran from May to September 2025. After meeting Zwaanendael interpreters at Cape Henlopen State Park, participants were guided to the DeBraak facility. There, they saw the surviving portion of the ship and learned about the DeBraak‘s complex history. 

Each tour was able to examine historic shipwreck artifacts such as forks, gaming pieces and tobacco pipes – just a sample of the everyday objects used by sailors that were recovered from the ship. Tour participants were given the opportunity to hold these pieces of history in gloved hands if they wished. More specialized artifacts, such as the ship’s octant and fragments of the ship’s telescope, were also available for closer examination.  

The Zwaanendael Museum and staff would like to thank everyone who joined the Walk to DeBraak tours this summer. More tours will be offered in 2026.