Near the canal and the War of 1812 Memorial Park, and opposite the post office, the cypress-shingled ancient house is a survivor of the bombardment of Lewes on April 6-7, 1813. It is the sole remaining building suffering damage during the exchange of cannonballs between little Lewistown, equipped with few cannon and a scant supply of balls, and the British warships in the bay mounting a total of 241 cannon. While not underestimating the activity at the engagement and the courage of the defenders of Lewes, there was little damage and no loss of human life as a result of the 22-hour battle.

The museum is open in the summertime during hours as posted. After each busy summer, the house is put to bed for a well-deserved slumber. It is aroused just once during its hibernation—that is on the first Saturday in December when the historical society stages its Annual Christmas House Tour, and the Cannonball House-Marine Museum is open for visitation along with other society buildings and several selected local homes in holiday garb.

Visitors who are disappointed that their visit has not coincided with museum hours should, nevertheless, inspect the site of the house-museum. The two large anchors flanking the front entrance will guide them to the cannonball placed in the brick foundation on the building front to indicate the area of reported damage during the 1813 shelling. The gate to the fenced-in yard will open to welcome interested persons where not only the trees and plantings may be enjoyed, but there may be seen a pilot skiff, a large fog bell, and cannons of 1810 vintage. There is a large U.S. naval weapon and a matched pair of British guns. They represent weaponry that could have been used by American and English forces in the 1813 bombardment of Lewes.

The museum-goer should gaze upon the exterior with appreciation for its age and architecture of simple design, typical of early Sussex County. While the smaller section is of an earlier date, the larger wing was built in the late 1700s. The interior contains handsome woodwork, fireplace mantels and stairway which are evidence that skillful craftsmen were on the job as the house was constructed and finishing touches were added.

If the museum is open, the visitor should allow time aplenty to view the many and varied seafaring artifacts on display. Most of the items relate to local nautical history. For some, the array of things to see will tend to cloud the vision of the interior of the house itself which was the third structure that the Lewes Historical Society waged a battle to obtain—the battle of finding the funds. Purchased in 1963, and thereby rescued from continuing deterioration, it was decided by 1970 that the house, then called the David Rowland house for an early owner, could serve no better purpose than as a marine museum.

The house was used for a variety of commercial enterprises over the years, ranging from a lace-and-ribbon shop to a Laundromat. Second in importance of serving as a haven for families and called "home" is the current use of the house as a haven for relics of the past to help retain the salty flavor of the community.

©Copyright 1997 Hazel D. Brittingham