What started as a group of sailors gathering at Lewes Beach for weekend races more than nine decades ago has morphed into Lewes Yacht Club, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this month.
Club members gathered on September 24 to celebrate the 90th anniversary. The event was highlighted by the presence of several descendants of the founders and the launch of a 90th anniversary video.
And in a long line of milestones in the club’s history, a project is underway to renovate and expand the current clubhouse to allow for additional dining (including more outdoor options), bar bigger, more storage and a new swimming pool bath. The project will take place over a two-year period with the aim of having the least possible impact on the members.
The idea of a sailing association was presented in August 1932 by George Davisson, Richard Reese Sr. and Marjorie Virden. Davisson and Reese would become the club’s first two commodores. A total of 17 founding members started the club and set dues at $3 per year with an initiation fee of $1.
It took a few years, but LYC was incorporated in July 1937 and the first clubhouse was built in 1938 for $5,000 with materials donated on land donated by the City of Lewes.
Today, LYC has not only a clubhouse but a swimming pool and marina, a sailing school and youth swim team, weekly sailing races, special sailing events, membership programs and guests, a foundation, dinners, a snack bar and youth programs.
And there is this access to the beach. The club is located on the site of one of Lewes Beach crossings with easy access to Lewes Beach and Delaware Bay. The view from its large outdoor deck offers one of the best sunset spots in Lewes.
The club has 700 members with a waiting list of several years.
Of the additions to the club over the years, the pool has created the most controversy. Longtime members may remember the split that occurred between those who wanted a pool and those who didn’t. It got to a point where some members left the club. When the pool opened in 1987, it quickly became the club’s busiest amenity, and most of the members who parted ways returned to the fold.
Several key families played significant roles in the formation and growth of the club, including the Masons, Carters, Marshalls, Millers and Reardons, all household names in Lewes.
Although the club has a variety of activities, its roots are in sailing. Over the years the club has held a variety of regattas for all types of sailboats including Sunfish, Mobjacks, Hobie Cats, Optimists and J-70s, all managed by a dedicated race committee.
The annual breakwater race each Labor Day is the club’s longest tradition, having started 90 years ago. In the beginning, the members also organized swimming and rowing races to the breakwater.
The Cape-to-Cape Regatta, started in 2008, continues each August with races between Lewes and Cape May, NJ
Key Events in LYC History
August 1932 – An idea for LYC is proposed; 17 founding members
July 1937 – The constitution takes place
1938 – Construction of the first pavilion at the end of Cedar Street
1941 – The club is used by the army as a lookout during World War II
1950s – The clubhouse is enlarged and renovated; membership is 123
1969 – The marina on the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal is completed
1980s – First paid staff
1982 – Beginning of the sailing school
1987 – The swimming pool opens; swimming team and water aerobics start
2003 – Demolition of the old club house
2005 – New dedicated clubhouse
2009 – The foundation is formed
2017 – Major pool renovations and first general manager hired
2022 – A major construction project is launched
