The History Book Festival is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, originally formed under the Greater Lewes Foundation and run by a board of volunteers. We believe in the power of history, literature, and civil dialog to change the future for the better.
Jen Mason, Co-Founder/Chair
Jen Mason owns biblion: used books and rare finds and The Vintage Underground on Second Street in Lewes. Before opening her shops, Jen was a stay-at-home mother, having retired from directing an international organizational development and instructional design team for the world’s largest printing company. She also worked as the Development Director for nine of Yale University’s professional schools, as well as a regional project manager for AT&T. Throughout her career, Jen has shared her time and talents with multiple civic organizations, serving on boards of directors for numerous non-profits and interfaith organizations. Currently she is a director for the Lewes Chamber of Commerce in addition to advising the Historic Lewes Farmers Market and the Greater Lewes Community Village. She and her daughter, Clare, live in Lewes with their dog, Nellie, and their cat, Spot.
Susan Kehoe, Bookseller and Program
Susan Kehoe is the owner of Browseabout Books, a thriving community bookshop (now in its 49th year) on Rehoboth Avenue in Rehoboth Beach. She holds a bachelor's degree in English from Virginia Tech and has 30 years of publishing and bookselling experience. Susan lives in Rehoboth with her husband, Matt, their son, Aiden, and three dogs.
Matthew Ash, Treasurer and Logistics
A resident since 2011, Matthew Ash spent most of his time in the Washington D.C. area where he was a corporate and securities lawyer and was also involved in numerous businesses and nonprofits. He is an avid reader of history and has focused on helping the History Book Festival establish organizational structure, obtain its trademarks, and has taken on the role of Treasurer. In addition, he will work with the various venues to ensure the smooth operation of the festival. Matthew grew up in Michigan and attended the University of Michigan and Georgetown Law School. His is now retired and is pursuing his interests in cabinet making and bicycling.
Rebecca Lowe, Program & Logistics
Rebecca Lowe is the Adult Program Coordinator at the Lewes Public Library where she is responsible for a wide range of regular and special library events, working with individuals and groups throughout the community to provide programming addressing a broad range of interests. She also is the Development Director and helped with the capital campaign to build the new Library. Prior to working at the library, Rebecca was in the field of social services assisting survivors of domestic violence. During her time as a stay-at-home mom, she became active in Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Odyssey of the Mind. Rebecca attended Bryn Mawr College where she received an undergraduate degree in psychology as well as a master’s degree in social services and a master’s in law and social policy. Rebecca lives in Lewes with her husband, Bill, and their children, Daniel and Hannah.
Thomas A. Owen, Funding
Tom Owen spent his career in insurance underwriting and plan design includes the evaluation of a company’s risk management exposures including analyzing their financial risks from various contingencies. He was president of Owen Incorporated, based in the York, Pennsylvania area, specializing primarily in commercial property and casualty insurance. While in York, Tom was a member of the York Chamber of Commerce, the York Rotary Club as a Paul Harris Fellow and was on the boards of the YMCA, Historic York Inc., York Health Corporation, York Insurance Agents Association as well as various organization committees.
Tom and his wife Libby moved to Lewes permanently in 2006 however they had spent many summer vacations here. Since moving to Lewes, Tom has served the community by through the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, the fund raising committee for the Canalfront Park Phase III project and as a former member of the Board of Adjustments. In 2013 he became a member of the board of the Board of Public Works. Tom is a graduate of Washington and Lee University, and spent two years in the Army, leaving as a first Lieutenant.
Peter Zoll, Secretary, Logistics and Finance
Peter grew up in Washington, D.C. After graduation from university, he worked in economic development, principally in Latin America and the Caribbean, traveling throughout the continent for 30 years. He then found some use for his economics background in money management, spending nearly 10 years in Europe – London, Frankfurt, and Geneva. Upon retiring in 2005, Peter made his way to the Delaware beaches. In addition to relaxing and enjoying beach life, Peter passes his time working on his old cars, spending endless hours researching his genealogy, occasionally using his photographic experience, and volunteering.