LEWES, Del. - The little red building across from the Zwaanendael Museum on Savannah Road in Lewes is up for sale. The structure built in 1898 is now on the market for $899,900.
The old bank branch was owned by the Sussex Trust Title and Safe Deposit Company, then by the Zwaanendael Club and ultimately the Lewes Historical Society who is now selling it. Most recently, the building was used to sell antiques for the historical society.
The sale was prompted by overwhelming maintenance costs according to the historical society and much needed renovations to other structures like the Cannonball House and Shipcarpenter Square. It also hopes to use the funds from the sale to support ongoing educational programs.
The sale was prompted by overwhelming maintenance costs according to the historical society and much needed renovations to other structures like the Cannonball House and Shipcarpenter Square. It also hopes to use the funds from the sale to support ongoing educational programs.
"We made the very very difficult decision to put the museum up for sale. We did not do that in a vacuum, we went to the z-club management leadership and said 'this is where we're at' and they said 'you need to sell the building." said Denise Clemons, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Lewes Historical Society.
According to Clemons, because the building falls within Lewes' Historic District Ordinance, the outside of the building will have to remain in tact but what happens inside the building will be left up to the buyer.
A potential buyer from Lewes did take a second look inside of the building while we were there, but declined to tell CoastTV what their intentions are. However locals like Thomas Greenwood hopes the building will become the home of a sandwich, book shop combination,
"So the location is unique for the parades and all things Lewes, so I hope it makes a transformation into something useful."
The home of the society's antique shop is on the market however when the shop reopens in March it will have moved to the Thompson General Store down the street in Shipcarpenter Square.
The home of the society's antique shop is on the market however when the shop reopens in March it will have moved to the Thompson General Store down the street in Shipcarpenter Square.