EXHIBITION: The Return of Odessa Artifacts

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.” In late 2025, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library deaccessioned and transferred ownership of 44 artifacts to the foundation, deepening Odessa’s ability to tell its stories through objects that once again belong to the place they were made to serve. Included in the transfer are 33 objects previously on display at Odessa through a long-term loan agreement, plus 11 others that Winterthur owned and used for display and educational purposes in the Winterthur/University of Delaware graduate-study programs in conservation and American material culture.