Upcoming and Current Events

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.

2025 Storybook Trees Exhibit Nov 11 - Dec 31

The Historic Odessa Foundation celebrates classic children’s literature and a love of reading by showcasing holiday trees decorated by community and school groups. Storybook Trees for the Holidays The exhibit will run from November 11 through December 31 and will be open as part of “Christmas in Odessa” on December 6th.

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.

English Country Dance

Put on your comfortable dancing shoes and festive attire to experience a lively evening of English country dance hosted by the Historic Odessa Foundation in partnership with The Dover English Country Dancers. The 16th annual colonial dance will be held on Sunday, December 14 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the National Historic Register Bank Building or the HOF Visitor Center at the corner of 2nd and Main Streets in Odessa. Members of both the HOF and the DECD and the public are invited to participate in learning English country dances that were popular at the turn of the 19th and 19th centuries...