Menhaden fishing net reel allowed to stay ... for now

The menhaden fishing net reel at the Lewes Historical Society campus is allowed to remain in place until at least March 3. 

In September, the city’s historic preservation architectural review commission determined the net reel did not fit with the rhythm and scale of the streetscape and should be removed. The society was ordered to disassemble the historic structure from its prominent place at the corner of West Third Street and Shipcarpenter Street by the end of January; however, City Building Official Robin Davis has granted an extension that will provide the society with more time to discuss the issue with city officials. 

The reel previously sat along the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal next to the Lightship Overfalls. Without permission from the city, historical society officials moved the artifact to its campus, where it was repaired. The dimensions of the cylindrical wooden reel, which was used to pull cotton fishing nets out of saltwater to dry, are 19 feet in height, 32 feet in length and 18 feet in depth.

At previous meetings, Lewes Historical Society Executive Director Jim Abbott said the net reel is important in telling the 20th century history of Lewes, particularly during a pre-civil rights time when African Americans and Caucasians worked side by side. 

Abbott said the net reel would be included in a walking tour that educates the public about the contributions African Americans have made to the Lewes community. The tour is being developed by the Lewes African American Heritage Commission. 

At the commission’s Jan. 21 meeting, Bill Collick spoke strongly in favor of preserving the net reel where it sits today. 

“I really think at some point, people need to know what this fishing net reel has meant to this area,” he said. “It’s such a part of the inner fabric of Lewes, Delaware.”

Elizabeth Owen, chair of the Lewes Historical Society board, said the society will use the extra 45 days to discuss solutions with the city. 

“Our mission is to preserve the history of this area, and share it with residents and visitors,” she said. “We are trying to work hard to stay within that mission.”

Up to this point, mayor and city council has stayed out of the fishing reel issue. However, there is an item related to the issue on the agenda for council’s Monday, Feb. 8 meeting. The agenda item reads: Discussion regarding the development of an ordinance to establish criteria for review of historic artifacts within the C/H zone. Due to the number of items on the agenda, the ordinance may not be discussed until Thursday, Feb. 11, when council has scheduled a continuation meeting.