Upcoming and Current Events

2025 Storybook Trees Registration

The Historic Odessa Foundation celebrates classic children’s literature and a love of reading by showcasing holiday trees decorated by community and school groups.

Here, There & Delaware: Travel Poster Prints & Illustrations of Erick Sahler

This holiday season don’t miss the graphic art exhibit, Here, There & Delaware: Travel Poster Prints & Illustrations of Erick Sahler, at the Historic Odessa Foundation Visitor Center from Tuesday, October 28th to Wednesday, December 21st, 2025.

Shakespeare, Poe, & Fiends 2025

This favorite fall event will feature Del Shakes artists performing selections of scenes, prose, and poetry from Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, and their Gothic contemporaries, plus musical selections interspersed. As always, we’ll close with a dramatic reading of Poe’s “The Raven.” It is sure to fright and delight all who join! Performances will be held at the end of October: Oct. 24th at 7 PM at Lewes Library (FREE!) Oct. 25th at 7 PM at Old Town Hall Oct. 26th at 2 PM at Read House and Gardens Oct. 30th at 7 PM at Odessa Historic Wilson Barn We are grateful to each of our partnering sites...

CHRISTMAS EXHIBIT: A Jane Austen Christmas at 250

Commemorate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth while visiting the Historic Odessa Foundation’s National Historic Register Wilson-Warner House this holiday season to tour A Jane Austen Christmas at 250 exhibit. Austen’s beloved novels with the iconic titles of Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, and Northanger Abbey & Persuasion are recognized world-wide. Austen provides brief accounts of Christmas customs and traditions celebrated in Georgian England in each of her novels which provide inspiration for each room vignette. The holiday season became a...

Twinklefest

Buy Tickets Now Please join us for the first Annual Twinklefest! Saturday, November 22, 2025, 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm on the grounds of the National Historic Landmark Corbit-Sharp House, Main St., Odessa, Delaware. This exciting family-friendly event kicks off the holiday season packed with fun for young and old, tickets include: A tour of A Jane Austin Christmas in the Wilson-Warner House, circa 1769. This year’s exhibit commemorates the 250th anniversary of Jane Austin’s birth and features holiday vignettes from her novels. Don’t miss the Dover English Country Dancers performing live! Over 30...

2025 Candlelight Tours

You are invited to step back in time through the doors of the Historic Odessa Foundation and explore the Christmas traditions of yesteryear! Participants experience a special candlelight tour of our 2025 holiday exhibit. Additional Candlelight Tour dates include: December 4 - Reservations available December 9 - Reservations available December 11 - Reservations available December 16 - Reservations available December 18 - Reservations available December 30 - Reservations available All tours start at 6:00pm. Fun, food, and camaraderie for friends or an evening out the entire family can enjoy...

HOF Participates in “Christmas in Odessa”

The first “Christmas in Odessa” took place 61 years ago as a fundraiser for the Women’s Club of Odessa. The purpose was to fund college scholarships for local high school seniors. With the help and cooperation of Odessa homeowners and the Historic Odessa Foundation, the Women’s Club of Odessa has provided scholarships to over 100 students. In addition, the club contributes to many other worthwhile community groups and projects. Christmas in Odessa: Delaware Historic House Tour Christmas in Odessa is a self-guided walking tour of private homes and public buildings, many dating from the 18th and...

By Reservation: Storybook Time (pre-K and Kindergarten)

Join HOF and the Corbit-Calloway Memorial Library as we read excerpts from this year’s Historic Odessa Foundation featured work of classic children’s literature. Children's Storytime in Odessa Then, explore scenes from the story brought to life in our annual holiday exhibit. Admission is free but reservations are required; please call 302-378-4119 or 302-378-5562 TWO TIMES OPEN Pre-K & Kindergarten (and parents) at 11am Older Children (and parents) at 4:30pm In conjunction with Storybook Time and the Odessa County Christmas exhibit, and there will be a reading of the novel.

By Reservation: Storybook Time (Older Children)

Join HOF and the Corbit-Calloway Memorial Library as we read excerpts from this year’s Historic Odessa Foundation’s featured work of classic children’s literature.

2025 Demonstration: Festive Foods

Top off your holiday tour at the Collins-Sharp House as our costumed hearth cooks prepare a mouthwatering feast over a roaring fire. Enjoy the sights and aromas typically enjoyed in the 18th century during the festive holiday season.