Historic Odessa Foundation

08/27/2026

We're just about two weeks away from the Historic Odessa Foundation's signature fundraising event - the 13th annual Historic Odessa Brewfest on Sept. 12. Every ticket purchased to the event supports the foundation's historic preservation and educational mission.

Many thanks to Metro Philly for spotlighting this year's Historic Odessa Brewfest in this great article!

Historic Odessa Brewfest returns Sept. 12 with more than 50 breweries, unlimited tastings, live music, colonial brewing demonstrations and competitions.

08/26/2026

𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝑶𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
This 18th century walnut base from a high chest of drawers has replacement parts, missing elements, and no upper section. The bottom section includes one large drawer while the top section probably had four to seven drawers. Why, then, is it in the HOF collection? Its significance lies in a brass identification plaque inscribed “William Corbit 1771” and its provenance from the Mary Corbit Warner collection of The David Wilson Mansion, Inc. No one is quite sure what happened to the top of the high chest. Antiques dealers and collectors sometimes call two unrelated pieces joined together a “marriage.” By that logic, this separated piece might be considered a “divorce!” Any suggestions about what the Museum should or could do with this outlier?

08/19/2026

𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝑶𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

In the 18th century, “chatelaine” referred to both the women who managed a grand house and to a decorative waist hook or clasp with hanging chains. Worn on a petticoat string, it kept keys, scissors and other practical everyday tools close at hand. Because women’s clothing generally lacked built-in pockets, women also wore large separate pockets tied around the waist. Odessa’s Corbit family historian, Mary Corbit Warner, engraved her monogram and other family initials on this hook. Unfortunately, the piece doesn’t have a silversmith’s mark making it impossible to identify its craftsman, place of origin, or date. Chatelaines reached peak popularity during the Victorian era and may have influenced mid- 20th-century charm bracelets, as both had small silver objects dangling from chains.

08/12/2026

𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝑶𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

The raised three-dimensional embroidery in this needlework became known as “stumpwork” in the 19th century. Originating in 17th century England, the technique used stitched elements lifted from the fabric to create textured, sculptural designs. Possibly made by Eliza Naudain Corbit (1810-1844), this piece depicts a goose in a marsh atop a crab in the sand. A necklace-like circle of colorful seashells or pebble beads surround the scene which is finished with a cut-out scrolled edge. The design was likely inspired by the wetlands and marshes of Leipsic, Delaware, where Eliza grew up. The first wife of Daniel Corbit (1796-1877), she died at the age of 34 after giving birth to five children. This small, framed work and a companion piece depicting a peacock perched on a tree branch were passed down through five generations of the Corbit family. Both are displayed in Daniel’s Bedroom in the Corbit-Sharp House.

08/10/2026

We're thrilled to share Historic Odessa Foundation Associate Curator Brian Miller's Open Call column that appeared in Sunday's The News Journal (Delaware Online). In it he writes about the legacy of Delaware painter Howard Schroeder and how the current exhibition, which runs through August 30, came to be. Kudos Brian!

Rehoboth Art League

Celebrate life, work of a Delaware artist and visual collection of coastal landscapes, historic maritime towns, everyday life through Aug. 30.

08/08/2026

Congratulations Cantwell's Tavern! 🎉

08/05/2026

𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝑶𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
This monumental 18th century Chinese export porcelain soup tureen and platter is one of a pair displayed in the dining room of the National Historic Landmark Corbit-Sharp House. Decorated with hand-glazed flower sprays, gilded fruit-shaped k***s, and gold borders, these deep-dish serving vessels were designed for presenting and serving soup at the table. Early tureens trace their origins to ancient European farming communities and later evolved from simple communal vessels into symbols of status, artistry, and refined dining. Made in porcelain, silver and other materials, tureens appeared in different shapes, colors, and sizes, including whimsical forms such as ducks, cabbages, rabbits, and other animals. Similar examples can be seen in The Campbell Collection of Soup Tureens at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library in Delaware. Once opulent centerpieces beyond the reach of most households, tureens are less common today for everyday modern meals.

08/04/2026

Many thanks to arts and culture writer and reporter Neal Zoren for his wonderful review of Historic Odessa's current exhibition "Legacy of Delaware: The Paintings of Howard Schroeder (1910-1995)." His review appears in yesterday's edition of Delaware County Daily Times.

Rehoboth Art League

Plus, Howard Schroeder works at Odessa a must-see and ‘Hadestown’ on the screen in ‘stage capture’

07/31/2026

Huge thanks to Delaware Public Media Morning Anchor and Reporter Martin Matheny for spotlighting Historic Odessa's current exhibition "Legacy of Delaware: The Paintings of Howard Schroeder (1910-1995)," which is on display through August 30.

Schroeder’s work is known for its use of vibrant colors, nods to impressionism and abstraction, and vivid portrayals of coastal Delaware.

07/29/2026

𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐲𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲-𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞!

Way before smart devices, kids carried pocket watches, slates, and spyglasses, and learned by exploring the world around them.

𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗢𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻'𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿 gives kids a chance to experience and explore history the way children did 250 years ago.

Each young adventurer will don a cap of the time period and receive a colonial haversack filled with authentic-inspired tools, including a spyglass, chalk and slate, pocket watch, Bilbo catcher, fire starter kit, and more. Then it's time to put those "devices" to work!

It's an unforgettable, hands-on adventure that celebrates America's 250th anniversary while inspiring curiosity, imagination, and family memories.

Just $18 for the entire family.

Tours: Tuesday–Saturday at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m.
Sunday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Prepaid reservations required: 302-378-4119

www.historicodessa.org/plan-your-visit/family-tours

This summer, the best family "app" is a haversack.