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Tuesday 10am - 4:30pm Wednesday 10am - 4:30pm Thursday 10am - 4:30pm Friday 10am - 4:30pm Saturday 10am - 4:30pm Sunday 1pm - 4:30pm

Historic Odessa Foundation

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Historic Odessa Foundation

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The mission of the Historic Odessa Foundation is to preserve and promote historic Odessa, Delaware.

Corbit-Sharp House
Wilson-Warner House
Collins-Sharp House
Old Bank Building (Visitor's Center)
Brick Hotel (Cantwell's Tavern)

10/16/2026

🎄 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐋𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐒! 🎄

Artisans, craftspeople, makers and creative vendors there’s still time to join Historic Odessa’s second annual Twinklefest on Saturday, November 21, 2026!

Share your unique goods and holiday gifts with shoppers during this festive, family-friendly celebration while supporting historic preservation.

📅 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘: Wednesday, October 21
Your application must be submitted and payment received IN FULL by the deadline.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗝𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗞𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝗷𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗿.𝗰𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹@𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮.𝗼𝗿𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝟯𝟬𝟮-𝟯𝟳𝟴-𝟰𝟭𝟭𝟵.

For event details, visit www.historicodessa.org/twinklefest

Help make the season sparkle!

10/14/2026

𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝑶𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
This late 19th century European scissor-shaped case was designed to be both portable and practical, safely holding sharp yet delicate sewing scissors and other project tools. Such cases were often given as traditional betrothal, wedding, or anniversary gifts. Made with a porcelain body and hinged lid, the case opens to reveal tiny decorative scissors inside. Its hand-painted flowers, gilded borders and scrollwork give the piece a luxurious finish. Though it may resemble a small mirror or bottle case at first glance, its miniature size — 4-5/8 in x 2-1/8 in x ¾ in. — made it easy to slip into a pocket or display on a vanity or sewing stand.

10/09/2026

✨ 𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧! 𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐄 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐎𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚’𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭! 🎄

Join us 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗡𝗼𝘃. 𝟮𝟭, 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 1-5:30 𝗽.𝗺. for a very merry afternoon packed with fun for everyone! From visits and photo ops with Santa and festive shopping in the Christmas Marketplace to pony rides, holiday house tours, live entertainment and plenty of hands-on activities for kids, Twinklefest brings the joy of the season to life in Historic Odessa.

🎟️ Your Twinklefest ticket includes these activities 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲:

🎁 Shop a Christmas Marketplace with more than 45 vendors
🚜 Hay wagon rides
🐐 A petting zoo
🎨 Face painting
✉️ Letter writing to Santa with real feather pens—and a reply from the North Pole!
🎁 A children’s Christmas store activity and package-wrapping station
🛷 Photo opportunities in an antique sleigh
💃 English country dancing and dance instruction
🌿 Wreath-making demonstrations
🚒 Antique fire truck and car displays
✨ The lighting of Historic Odessa’s buildings at dusk

✨ Family packages: $60 for two adults and two children; $50 for HOF members.
✨ Individual tickets: $20 per adult; $15 per child.

Make memories, start a holiday tradition and support Historic Odessa Foundation’s preservation and education programs.

For information and tickets, visit www.historicodessa.org/twinklefest

10/07/2026

✨ 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐬, 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜-𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬! ✨

Bring your creativity to Historic Odessa’s Twinklefest 2026! The Historic Odessa Foundation is accepting vendor applications for its second annual holiday celebration to be held on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026.

🎁 Have unique gifts, handcrafted treasures or one-of-a-kind wares? We’d love to feature your work in our festive Christmas Market!

Connect with holiday shoppers amid the charm of Historic Odessa, where holiday Historic House tours, live entertainment, family activities, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and much more will make spirits bright. Your participation also supports historic preservation.

Ready to join the holiday magic?
For vendor details and application information, contact Jennifer Cabell Kostik:
📧 [email protected]
📞 302-378-4119

✨ Learn more: www.historicodessa.org/twinklefest

Know a talented maker? Tag them below or share this call for vendors!

10/07/2026

𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝑶𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
This popular early 19th century maple side chair was likely decorated with high-contrast classical motifs so it would stand out in a candlelit dining room or parlor. Its stenciled designs may have included fruit, flowers, and patterns accented with gilding. Over time, the paint flaked away, and the chair was probably refinished when the seat was replaced. One of a set of four, it would have stood along the side of the table, unlike the two armchairs placed at the ends. Its ownership can be traced through at least four generations of the Corbit family. A later metal tag on one leg reads, “Wm. Corbit House, Odessa, Delaware 1772.” Because the town was renamed Odessa in 1855 —and the chair’s style dates much later than 1772, when construction of the mansion began — the tag is not original to the chair. All four chairs can be seen in the granddaughter’s bedroom on the Corbit-Sharp House.

10/01/2026

Forget the time machine - Delaware has a village that can send you centuries backward in a single afternoon.

10/01/2026

🐾 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻. 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁.
📅 Saturday, Oct. 3 | 10 a.m.–noon
📍 Wilson-Warner House, 202 Main Street, Odessa, DE 19730

Ready for some tail-wagging autumn fun? Bring your canine companion to try an introductory agility course—or come cheer from the sidelines!

Dog owner/trainer and dog enthusiast Susan Schmidhauser of Pinewood Kennels LLC, Sudlersville, Maryland will lead demonstrations and share tips for building obedience, awareness and a stronger connection with your dog. With more than 20 years of training experience, Susan will help newcomers and experienced dogs join in the fun.

🐕 Participating dogs must be at least 2 years old, friendly with dogs and people, leashed and familiar with basic commands.

Bring dog treats, a water dish, waste bags, comfortable shoes and a portable chair.

To preregister, call Jennifer Cabell Kostik at 302-378-4119 and provide your dog’s size: small, medium or large.

A suggested $10 donation will benefit the Delaware Veterans Support Association.

Bring the family and welcome fall with a morning of learning, play and connection!

For more information, visit www.historicodessa.org/events-calendar/dog-agility-event-learn-play-connect

09/30/2026

𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝑶𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
Before texts and emails, 19th century callers used calling cards to send thanks, announce arrivals or departures, offer greetings, and express condolences. If an upper- or middle-class household’s resident was not at home, a maid accepted the visitor’s card and placed it on a silver tray in the hall table to be read later. This 19th century example features the handwritten name Mary C. (Corbit) Wilson, surrounded by decorative scrolls and flourishes. Born in 1811, Mary became the second wife of her cousin Daniel Corbit (1796-1877) in 1847. The card was likely penned during the 36-year span between Mary’s teenage years and the period when Odessa was still known as Cantwell’s Bridge. Fun fact: Mary grew up in the Wilson Warner House and spent her married life right next door in the Corbit-Sharp House!

09/24/2026

Yesterday, members and furniture buffs gathered at Historic Odessa for “(Mostly) 18th-century Chairs: A Collections Workshop.”

Led by furniture historian Philip D. Zimmerman, participants examined a selection of nearly 30 chairs, looking closely at style, regional origins, condition, and the small details that can change how we understand an object. Questions and lively discussion made for an engaging afternoon of discovery.

Thank you to Philip and everyone who joined us! You can continue exploring the furniture collection through the “Search the Collections” button on our homepage www.historicodessa.org.

09/16/2026

A deep heartfelt 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸-𝘆𝗼𝘂 to our partner Cantwell's Tavern () for the enormous work that goes into organizing the Historic Odessa Brewfest. Your dedication, creativity, and countless hours of planning make this event possible, and we’re grateful to work alongside you.

Cheers from all of us at the Historic Odessa Foundation! 🍻

Address

201 Main Street
Odessa, DE
19730

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	10am - 4:30pm
Thursday	10am - 4:30pm
Friday	10am - 4:30pm
Saturday	10am - 4:30pm
Sunday	1pm - 4:30pm

Website

http://www.historicodessa.org/

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