Historic Odessa Foundation

06/04/2026

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐬!

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, join us for a free special Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 & 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝟮𝟱𝟬 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 this 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟲, 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟭𝟭 𝗮.𝗺. 𝘁𝗼 𝟭 𝗽.𝗺. at the Historic Odessa Visitors Center.

Whether you're just beginning your family history journey or looking to strengthen years of research, this free, family-friendly event offers genealogy tips, research strategies, and one-on-one guidance from experienced Daughters of the American Revolution genealogists from the Cooch's Bridge Chapter.

Learn about:
🔹 The mission and history of the DAR
🔹 Research tools and resources available to the public
🔹 How to trace your lineage and identify Revolutionary War patriots in your family tree
🔹 The unique history and roots of the local DAR chapter

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰 "𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲-𝗶𝘁-𝗮𝗻𝗱-𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲-𝗶𝘁" 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀!

Come explore how your family's story connects to the story of America and discover how the DAR continues to preserve history and serve our communities today.

📅 Saturday, June 6, 2026
🕚 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
📍 Historic Odessa Visitors Center, 2nd & Main Streets, Odessa, DE

🎟️ FREE Admission – Pre-registration requested
📞 302-378-4119
📧 [email protected]

Bring your notes, your questions, and your curiosity—we're here to help you succeed!

Daughters of the American Revolution Headquarters

06/04/2026

Thank you Joy Franklin at Philly Bite Magazine!

"Originally known as Cantwell's Bridge, Odesa was a bustling grain shipping port in the 18th century. Today, it stands as one of the most pristine, untouched historical villages in the mid-Atlantic region, making the entire town feel like a living museum. It is a dream destination for history buffs, who can tour the beautifully preserved properties managed by the Historic Odessa Foundation, including the stunning 1774 Corbit-Sharp House, which served as a documented Underground Railroad safe house."

DELAWARE - Although Delaware is the second-smallest state, its small towns offer a diverse range of experiences, from tax-free shopping to secluded be

06/03/2026

We can't wait to see old friends and welcome new ones at the 2026 Historic Odessa Brewfest on Sept. 12!

🎟️ Tickets are ON SALE NOW for the Odessa Brewfest! 🍻

Join us Saturday, September 12th from 12–5 PM on the beautiful grounds of Historic Odessa for an afternoon of craft beer and ciders, live music, delicious food, and unforgettable fun.

https://www.odessabrewfest.com/2026-tickets

Gather your friends, mark your calendars, and grab your tickets before they’re gone!

Cheers to great brews and even better company — we’ll see you in September! 🍺🎶

Odessa Foundation

06/03/2026

𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝑶𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

Golden Tempo, a horse that entered this year’s Kentucky Derby with 25-1 odds, wound up winning “the most exciting two minutes in sports” by a neck. Thanks to video and photography, its image was quickly plastered around the world. Not so for Smiling Billy. This famous racehorse had to settle for a painting that was later copied as a hand-colored print. This early 18th century English framed print is one of six portraits of winning horses in the museum collection. Before the invention of photography, the English recorded their prized possessions through paintings of their horses in their prime, showing lean, tall, and muscular beasts with cropped tails and manicured manes. Captions below each portrait included the names of the horse and owner, purses and race locations, but curiously, not the jockey’s name. In the mid-20th century, the prints now at HOF were owned by the antique collector and preservationist, H. Rodney Sharp. He hung all six prints in the pantry of the National Historic Landmark Corbit-Sharp House.

06/03/2026

What an inspiring afternoon at the Historic Odessa Foundation as we welcomed members of the Delaware Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) for a special program exploring the legacy of America's founding patriots and the ongoing mission of the SAR.

Guests had the opportunity to learn about the Revolutionary War ancestors honored by SAR members, discover how the organization promotes patriotism and preserves our nation's history, and engage with stories that continue to inspire future generations.

Those in attendance also witnessed a particularly meaningful moment when Robert Cochran (right), President of the Jaquett Chapter of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution, presented Charles Fisher (left) with the NSSAR Vietnam War Service Medal in recognition of his military service.

Thank you to the Delaware Society SAR, our presenters, and everyone who joined us for this memorable event celebrating American history, service, and patriotism.

05/31/2026

Thank you, Delaware Online! Check out Debbie Buckson’s column online here or in today’s News Journal edition! Link in the comments.

Recent permanent transfer of historic furnishings and artifacts from Winterthur to Historic Odessa Foundation marks major milestone in preservation. See link below ⬇️

📸 Provided by Historic Odessa Foundation

05/29/2026

𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐎𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚!

Step back in time this Saturday, May 30, and celebrate the road to 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮'𝘀 𝟮𝟱𝟬𝘁𝗵 birthday at the Historic Odessa Foundation's free America 250 Presentation featuring the 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗦𝗔𝗥). Running from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., this special program offers a fascinating glimpse into the people and events that helped shape our nation's founding.

While you're here, make a day of it! Tour Historic Odessa's beautifully preserved 18th- and 19th-century homes, stroll the picturesque colonial village, and explore current exhibits, "Common Ground: Landscapes, City Views, and Quiet Rooms," showcasing the works of Delaware artist Rolando Corpus; and "Surprise: Mary's Pocket Watch."

And no visit to Odessa is complete without a stop at Cantwell's Tavern, where visitors can enjoy farm-to-table fare in the historic Brick Hotel, built 204 years ago.

History, architecture, dining, and small-town charm come together for the perfect day trip. Join us as we honor our past and celebrate the journey to 1776–2026.

To plan your tour, visit www.historicodessa.org.

05/27/2026

𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝑶𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
Two surviving paper labels pasted on the interior of this early 19th century American mahogany sideboard verify the cabinetmaker as George Whitelock (1780-1833), a Wilmington businessman who was also a noted chairmaker. Nineteenth century American sideboards originated from English designs. They were created for the storage and display of silver and china and evolved from simple serving slab tables into large cabinets with drawers, cupboards, and specialized compartments. Some designs even spanned the entire side of a wall, reflecting one’s wealth and social status. This stunning six-legged and bowed center sideboard was recently returned from a short stay at a restorer where it was meticulously cleaned to enhance the highly figured veneers and inlayed details, and all the hardware was polished, aligned and reattached. Interestingly, a piece similar to this was listed on David Wilson Jr.’s bankruptcy auction list of 1829. Now visitors can see this latest show-stopping addition to the dining room of the National Historic Register Wilson-Warner House.

05/27/2026

Step back into the spirit of the 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 this 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟑𝟎, 𝟏𝟏 𝐚.𝐦. 𝐭𝐨 𝟏 𝐩.𝐦., for a family-friendly event hosted by the 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐒𝐀𝐑) at the Historic Odessa Foundation!

Guests will have the opportunity to meet members of the Sons of the American Revolution and learn about the patriots they proudly descend from, while discovering the mission and history of the SAR. The presentation will explore how the organization promotes patriotism, preserves Revolutionary War history, and inspires future generations through education and community engagement.

Interested in tracing your own Revolutionary-era ancestry? Attendees will also learn how to begin the process of registering for SAR membership.

𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 “𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞-𝐢𝐭-𝐚𝐧𝐝-𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞-𝐢𝐭” 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬.

Saturday, May 30, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Historic Odessa Visitors Center
2nd & Main Streets, Odessa, Delaware

🎟 FREE Admission | Pre-registration requested
📞 (302) 378-4119
📧 [email protected]

Join us for an engaging afternoon celebrating patriotism, family heritage, and America’s founding history!

Sons of the American Revolution

05/26/2026

A week ago we held a rededication ceremony for Odessa's historical marker, now relocated to the historic center of town in front of Cantwell's Tavern. Delaware Public Media was there! Thanks to reporter Israel Hale for attending and covering the event. His story is in the link.

Odessa’s historical marker now has a home much closer to the town’s historic district.