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Lewes, Delaware (U.S.)

image by Blas Delgado Ortiz, 6 June 2000

Description of the flag

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Description of the flag

The Lewes flag has absolutely no claim to fame except in its decorative and pride expression use in Lewes. It has never flown in any wars that have involved the town nor has it been carried into battle. Its fame is in the decoration and the pride in which it is flown by homeowners and merchants in town. The flag was designed by Alan Keffer, a Lewes resident, in 1991 (copyrighted in 1993) with design input from many friends who wanted a town flag.

The seal, prominent in the center of the flag, is a version of one of the official seals used in the town of Lewes, England, the namesake and sister city for Lewes, Delaware.

The original Lewes, Delaware settlers embarked from the Netherlands town of Hoorn (on the North sea in the North Holland Province). Before beginning the sea voyage to the New World they sailed South to the fishing town of Veere, in the Zeeland Province of The Netherlands. From there, they loaded necessary provisions and made the voyage to establish the town of Zwannendael (Valley of the Swans). The town was subsequently renamed Lewes, after the same named town in England.

The flag's background was adapted from the flag of the Zeeland Province. As its name implies (translation: Sealand), Zeeland shares Lewes's affinity for the sea. The blue and white undulating background represents the sea, which has always played an important role in Lewes, as it still does, even today.

Dov Gutterman, 7 April 1999