Historic Delaware Period Homes | Historic Odessa Foundation

Collins-Sharp House viewed from 2nd street

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Upcoming Events

EXHIBITION: The Return of Odessa Artifacts

March 1–May 17, 2026 | 10:00am to 4:30pm

When the Historic Odessa Foundation re-opens the doors to its 18th-century museum homes on March 1, the biggest change will not be immediately visible: a significant collection of historic objects has quietly “returned home.”

HOF opens for Tours!

March 1, 2026 | 10:00am

Historic Odessa reopens for Spring tours on March 1st. HOF is open to the public through December, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM – 4:30 PM and Sunday 1 PM – 4:30 PM, Monday by reservation. Plan Your Visit » Historic Odessa: A 'Must-Do' in Delaware! Spring is a beautiful time to visit Historic...

HOF Celebrates Harriet Tubman Day - By Reservation Only!

March 10, 2026 | 1:00 to 2:00pm

Celebrate Harriet Tubman Day by visiting our National Park Service Network to Freedom exhibit, “Freedom Seekers: the Odessa Story”. HOF celebrates the role of local underground railroad agents and the life of Harriet Tubman since her birth in Dorchester County, Maryland. “Freedom Seekers: the Odessa...

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News Spotlight

Corbit-Sharp House Virtual Tour

The remarkable Corbit-Sharp House in Odessa is considered the finest example of Georgian architecture in Delaware. In this Virtual Tour, explore the house and collection with Debbie Buckson, Executive Director of the Historic Odessa Foundation.

From the Collection

Milk pan

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of Hugh R. and Bayard Sharp

1850-1900

Welcome to our colonial village!

This tranquil hamlet of tree-lined streets and National Register historic homes was once a thriving grain shipping port and vital Mid-Atlantic transportation and trade hub of the 18th and 19th centuries.

At its economic height, Odessa, or Cantwell’s Bridge as it was originally named, shipped out hundreds of thousands of bushels of wheat and other goods annually from the banks of the Appoquinimink River. Locally grown and made products found their way to Philadelphia, down to the southern colonies, and across the Atlantic to Europe. The town’s slow decline came with the advent of the railroad in 1855, and America’s expansion westward.

By the early 20th century, Odessa was a mere shadow of its former prosperity. That is until 1938, when prominent Delaware preservationist H. Rodney Sharp (1880-1968) purchased Odessa’s Corbit mansion — today’s Corbit-Sharp House (c. 1774), a National Historic Landmark and National Park Service Network to Freedom site — beginning a three-decade-long, full-scale colonial revival of old Odessa and its architectural gems.

Mr. Sharp gave his beloved Corbit house to Winterthur Museum In 1958 and they operated the Odessa properties until 2003 when they were permanently closed.

In 2005, The Historic Odessa Foundation was incorporated continuing Sharp’s ground-breaking work, preserving and interpreting the past through tours, exhibitions and living history programs for children and adults.

I encourage you to use our website to plan your visit. Stroll our tree-lined streets. Tour our beautifully restored 18th and 19 century houses. Wander through picturesque gardens. Dine at the historic Cantwell’s Tavern.

And I invite you to consider becoming a Member of the Historic Odessa Foundation. Your Membership will entitle you to a full year of free and discounted opportunities including a 10% discount on food and beverages every time you dine.

Help us ensure that our educational programming and preservation initiatives continue to thrive and endure.

We look forward to seeing you on Main Street!

Debbie Buckson
Executive Director