The annual Sea Glass Festival will feature a variety of sea glass, from collections on display to items available to purchase.
Stories of beachcombing around the globe, the history and continued mystery of the Roosevelt Inlet shipwreck, real versus fake sea glass, and the health of the area’s surrounding bays are on the agenda for the Lewes Historical Society’s 17th annual Mid-Atlantic Sea Glass & Ocean Arts Festival, set for the first weekend of June.
According to the society’s executive director, Andrew Lyter, “Sea glass and maritime arts are a great and unique way for folks to approach history. The topics for this year’s lectures appeal to your avid historians, as well as sea glass enthusiasts. We are delighted to welcome our friends from the Zwaanendael Museum and Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, among others!”
The festival will offer four presentations throughout the weekend.
Devon Filicicchia
On Saturday, June 1, at 11 a.m., the site supervisor of the Zwaanendael Museum, Devon Filicicchia, will present a hands-on, interactive session on the Roosevelt Inlet shipwreck that was uncovered in the fall of 2004 off the coast of Lewes. Filicicchia will be bringing objects from the more than 60,000 unearthed during the archeological study of the 18th-century vessel. The collection of artifacts from the ship is one of the largest maritime archeological collections in the region.
The afternoon lecture will be presented by Cesar Williams-Padin, president of the International Sea Glass Association board of directors. Williams-Padin will speak on the subject of “Real versus Fake Sea Glass — How to Tell the Difference in an Internet World.” Padin, a sea glass artist and avid collector, is often asked how a person can differentiate between real and man-made shards. In his presentation, he will dive into the world of sea glass, offering his expert guidance on finding authentic treasures online.
“I invite participants to explore, learn and gain the confidence to shop for sea glass as we unravel the differences between genuine beach and sea glass, versus clever imitations,” said Williams-Padin.
At noon on Sunday, June 2, there will be a presentation from Mark Carter and Anna Fagan from the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays. Their presentation is titled, “Watershed-wide Perspective of the Inland Bays: The Hidden Science Surrounding You during your Walk on the Beach.”
Mark Carter
“As a beachcomber myself,” said event manager Nancy LaMotte, “I often overlook what is happening in the water and around me, as I am so often focused on what is in front of me in the sand. Mark and Anna will be opening our eyes to the health of the waterways and what lies within them which they are working hard to protect.”
Speaking at 2 p.m. on Sunday, artist and collector Heidi Blake, from Currituck, N.C., will take attendees on a personal journey. Blake, having lived in both Iceland and Panama, will share stories and pieces of beach treasure that she has collected for over five decades.
Heidi Blake
“I know that I have pieces in my collection that date back to the Vikings. … History tells on itself,” said Blake. “Whatever country I’m in, I just go right to the beach.”
Blake will be displaying hundreds of beach finds from all over the world, including rare pieces of sea glass, fishing floats, stoppers, porcelain figurines, clay pipes, sterling silverware found on the beach originating from the U.S. Lines and more.
The Mid-Atlantic Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival is set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2, rain or shine, on the Lewes Historical Society’s campus at 110 Shipcarpenter Street in Lewes. In addition to the speaker series, the event will host 75 sea glass and coastal artisans, an antique-bottle display and shard identification, glass-blowing demonstrations, a vast sea glass collection, live music and food each day.
Tickets cost $10 each day, available at the gate or in advance online. Children 12 or younger are admitted free of charge.
For more information, visit historiclewes.org. The event is sponsored by Dogfish Head. All proceeds go toward the Lewes Historical Society’s mission to promote and advocates the preservation, interpretation and cultural enrichment of the region, through museum exhibits, educational programs, historical research and publications.
