The History of the OMMF and the Lightship's more recent adventures.

In September of 1999 a small group of dedicated people got together for the seemingly impossible task of saving one of the last seventeen lightships remaining in the United States, the Overfalls (LV118), berthed here in Lewes, Delaware.   Since its arrival in 1973, the Lewes Historical Society and several community groups have attempted to preserve the ship and open it to the public.   Because of the ship's condition and liability issues, the Lewes Historical Society reluctantly decided to sell the lightship in early 1999.   When this sale fell through, the Historical Society was left with a dilemma.   Should they seek another buyer, scrap the ship, or find a new group of volunteers to save the ship?   Thankfully, the Lewes Historical Society responded positively to an offer from a group of local citizens who wished to take over the lightship.   This group later formed the Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation, an organization which has since grown to over 400 members, including a central core of hard-working volunteers.

Many responsibilities came with the purchase of the Overfalls.   Among other things, an ad hoc committee (The Friends of the Lightship Overfalls) had to be organized, officers elected, committees formed, by-laws written, incorporation begun and non-profit status obtained.   In addition, there were fund raisers to plan, tour guides to train, repair and restoration programs to implement, and a master plan to develop.   After much hard work, the initial objectives were achieved and a sustainable organization was founded.   In 2001 our incorporation was completed, non-profit status was awarded, and transfer of ownership of the Overfalls (LV118) from the Lewes Historical Society to the Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation was finalized.

Our organization has grown and matured over the years.  Our public tours of the lightship, enjoyed by increasing numbers of visitors each summer, are a major part of our outreach program.  The public is also invited to attend our interesting and informative monthly meetings, held year round.  In the summer of 2004, we participated in the Smithsonian Institution's annual Folklife Festival on the Mall in Washington, D.C.  We proudly co-sponsor annual boat parades and aquathlons in Lewes.  A strategic plan for 2006-2010 now guides the work of the Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation (OMMF).

As the story of the Overfalls spreads far and wide, most of our work is still out of public view.  A critical part of this work is the ongoing ship restoration and maintenance, done by a dedicated group of volunteers dubbed the "Dirty Hands Gang."  Now in their seventh year, this group has made tremendous progress in cleaning, prepping and painting the lightship.  In addition, several tasks beyond the capabilities of the Dirty Hands Gang were completed with outside help.  A local electrical contractor upgraded the ship's wiring to make it safer and able to support subsequent restoration projects, while other private contractors were hired to remove and dispose of asbestos and to pump and clean fuel oil tanks.   Tasks remain, however, that are outside the capabilities of the Dirty Hands Gang, requiring financial resources not available in our current budget.

The last major effort will be towing the Overfalls to a shipyard in Dorchester, New Jersey, for repair and stabilization of the lightship's hull, which has serious corrosion problems and has begun to leak.   Once towed back to Lewes, the Overfalls will be installed in a newly constructed slip at the existing location on the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal.  The total cost for this "Float the Boat" project is estimated to be $1.2 million.  These costs are in addition to the ongoing costs associated with the lightship: insurance, utilities, printing, postage, advertising, and basic maintenance.

It is obvious that we need YOUR support if we are to succeed in saving the Lightship Overfalls (LV118).   We will gratefully accept any contribution, large or small.   We encourage you to become a member of our Foundation.   If possible, come visit, and see the treasure we are trying to save and share with you.   If you're handy, or just willing to work with us, the Dirty Hands Gang has plenty to keep you busy!   We also urgently need summer tour guides, and we'll be glad to provide training.   A few hours of your time now and then during the summer months is your only commitment.   (Please click on this link to our "Join Us" page to let us know if you're willing to help out.)