Eighth Annual Chautauqua Tent Show 2006

Sunday, June 18th through Wednesday, June 21st, 2006
Under the Big Tent at The Virden Center, University of Delaware Campus in Lewes. A unique mixture of education and entertainment for everyone, this event is held annually the third week in June, and features reenactments of historical characters supplemented by music.  The theme this year is "In the Beginning, Delaware: Lewes" in honor of the 375th Anniversary of Lewes.  Presentations begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday and 7 p.m. every evening through Wednesday.  Special daytime programs Monday through Wednesday at noon by the "Little Key" at the Lewes public dock in town.  (800) 752-2060 or (302) 657-0650.

All activities are open and free to the public. For additional information call the Delaware Humanities Forum at (800) 752-2060.

Click here for the Eighth Annual Chautauqua Tent Show 2006 PDF flier.

The Delaware Humanities Forum would like to thank the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation for their contritubutions to Chautauqua! To learn more about the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, visit their site at http://www.kalmarnyckel.org/ and learn more about the Tall Ship of Delaware!

Chautauqua Schedule and Presenters 2006
Virden Center  - University of Delaware Lewes Campus, 700 Pilottown Rd, Lewes, DE 19958. Click Here for directions to the Virden Center.

Sunday
2:00 p.m.
Pirate Shanties - Presenters from Kalmar Nyckel Foundation
Enjoy fun, traditional songs of the sea!

3:00 p.m.
Reception - Virden Center

4:30 p.m.
Colonial Games - Jim Rockwell (Kalmar Nyckel Foundation)   
Our colonial games for the whole family will highlight the activities enjoyed by
children of the 17th century.

7:00 p.m.
Henry Hudson - Steve Weisse (New Netherland Museum)
Meet Henry Hudson, explorer and captain of the Half Moon. Learn about his voyages and his discoveries!

Monday
7:00 p.m.
William Penn - Steve Gulick (American Historical Theatre)
William Penn will join us to share his experiences as a Quaker and diplomat. Penn is well known as the founder of Pennsylvania,
but he also had a large authority over Delaware. Come listen to his stories about 'The Three Lower Counties!'

Tuesday
7:00 p.m.
Anne Bonney - Karen Razler-Thek (AHT)
The most notorious female pirate ever will join us at Chautauqua! Scandal, adventure,
and riches are all part of the amazing tale of Anne Bonney.

Wednesday
7:00 p.m.
Blackbeard - Ben Cherry
Closing Chautauqua this year will be Blackbeard, the pirate. Born as Edward Teach,
Blackbeard is one of history's more famous pirates. As Blackbeard recounts the amazing
tales of the sea, perhaps the secret of his lost treasure will be revealed!

City Dock - Downtown, Lewes, Delaware

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
12:00 noon
Special daytime programs with "The Little Key"
Learn about the maritime practices through demonstrations and a first hand look at the Little Key!

Maritime Demonstrations of Navigational Aids of the period and Colonial Games presented by Jim Rockwell, Director of the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, staff & volunteers. All activities are open and free to the public. For additional information call the Delaware Humanities Forum at (800) 752-2060.

Directions to The Virden Center

Approaching Lewes EASTBOUND via Route 9 out of Georgetown, DE or SOUTHBOUND via Route 1 out of Dover, DE (about 35 miles southbound):
At the intersection of Route 1 and Business Route 9, take Business Route 9 (Savannah Road) into Lewes. This is a left turn off Route 1.
Once in Lewes, continue on Savannah Road past the Zwaanendael Museum (on the right), two blocks to the first traffic light at the foot of the drawbridge over the canal. Do not cross the bridge, but turn left onto Front Street (which becomes Pilottown Road). Stay on this road 1.5 miles. Turn left into the College of Marine Studies entrance lane.
(See also: Alternate directions for Route 1 Southbound below)

From the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal:
Turn right onto Henlopen Avenue and go approximately 1/2 mile, taking the second left (by the Dairy Queen) onto Savannah Road. Go approximately 1/4 mile and cross over the drawbridge. At the foot of the bridge, take a right at the traffic light onto Front Street (which becomes Pilottown Road). Stay on this road 1.5 miles. Turn left into the College of Marine Studies entrance lane.

Approaching Lewes NORTHBOUND on Route 1:
Take Kings Highway into Lewes (a right turn off Route 1). Make a left turn at the stop sign off Freeman Highway, then a right onto Savannah Road. Continue to the traffic light at the foot of the drawbridge over the canal. Do not cross the bridge, but turn left onto Front Street (which becomes Pilottown Road). Stay on this road 1.5 miles. Turn left into the College of Marine Studies entrance lane.

Alternate directions from Route 1 SOUTHBOUND:
Make a left at sign just before Nassau Bridge. Go 1/2 mile, then make a left onto New Road (at the Antique Barn). Continue approximately 2 miles to the University of Delaware Campus entrance. Turn left and follow approximately 1/2 mile to the Virden Center on the right.