Wilmington’s tall ship, the Kalmar Nyckel, has long been a public touchstone for Delaware’s colonial history and riverfront life. A new look back at photographs of the vessel captures decades of appearances, repairs and ceremonies that link the city’s present to its founding as the Colony of New Sweden.
Royal visit, drum ceremonies and wreaths
One of the most photographed moments came on May 11, 2013, when Swedish dignitaries marked the 375th anniversary of the first Swedish settlers. Images from that day show the ship alongside Fort Christina Park as members of the Red Thunder Lenape Drum Team performed and Swedish children greeted arriving guests at "The Rock." A wreath was presented and a moment of silence followed the formal welcome. Among the visitors were His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, and their daughter Princess Madeleine and her fiancé, Chris O’Neil.
"arrive" as the first settlers did 375 years ago on the Kalmar Nyckel at Fort Christina Park
Routine life of a living history vessel
The photographs also document the day-to-day and seasonal work that keeps the Kalmar Nyckel in service. Shots from 2014 and 2016 show the ship navigating the Christina River and returning to its home dock at Dravo Plaza. Other images highlight maintenance — from mast reinstallation to winter preparations — and the community interest that draws crowds whenever the ship visits the Wilmington waterfront.
- 2013: 375th Jubilee Day; Swedish royal family visit; Lenape drum ceremony and wreath-laying.
- 2014: Ship pushes up the Christina River to its home port; also departs for dry dock in Virginia for inspection and paint.
- 2015–2016: Crew and captain shown preparing ship for winter; mast maintenance and historical displays near the Kalmar Nyckel museum.
Why the photos matter locally
The Kalmar Nyckel functions as both museum and working vessel. Its public appearances are part of Wilmington’s waterfront identity and draw residents to the riverfront, while its ties to 17th-century New Sweden are a reminder of Delaware’s early European settlement history. The images collected over the years show how a single historic replica can anchor civic ceremonies, school programs and tourism efforts.
| Year | Featured event or activity |
|---|---|
| 2009 | Welcomed to Wilmington Riverfront crowd |
| 2013 | 375th Jubilee Day — Swedish royal visit; wreath-laying |
| 2014 | Return to Dravo Plaza; dry dock departure for inspection/paint |
| 2015–2016 | Winter preparations; mast maintenance; museum-adjacent historical imagery |
For Wilmington residents and visitors, the ship’s comings and goings provide repeated opportunities to engage with Delaware history on the water. Photographs spanning years also record changes to the riverfront and to the volunteers and crew who keep the Kalmar Nyckel operating — a living-history project that depends on maintenance work, public interest and the occasional international spotlight.
Those interested in viewing more images or following the ship’s schedule can contact the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation or visit the ship’s museum area on the Wilmington waterfront. The photos serve as both a historical record and an invitation: the Kalmar Nyckel’s presence on the Christina River remains one of the more visible reminders of Delaware’s place in early American colonial history.
