Welcome to the tranquil village of Odessa and the grounds of the Historic Odessa Foundation.
Imagine holding your special event in this storied town center with its beautifully restored 18th and 19th-century homes and its picturesque Colonial revival gardens, all lovingly maintained much as they were some 200 years ago. This unique 72-acre property can be the setting for your one-of-a-kind storybook wedding festivities – from bridal showers to rehearsal dinners, to the wedding ceremony and reception. Or it can serve as an inspirational and memorable venue for private parties, employee meetings and customer entertainment.
Historic Odessa: Where history comes to life...your history!
Facilities and Capacity
Historic Odessa Foundation can accommodate 25 – 250+ guests, depending on the space selected. All outdoor receptions require tenting for which there is an additional charge. Rentals at Historic Odessa include exclusive access to the grounds.
Historic Odessa has two event spaces, including several beautifully landscaped outdoor event spaces. Wedding ceremonies can be held in the gardens, while cocktail hour can be hosted on the patio of the Corbit-Sharp House.
The venue has expansive outdoor space, including The Barn, at the back of the National Register Wilson-Warner House. Built by its owner, David Wilson (1743-1820), in 1812 it once housed his fancy 19th century carriage with a plush red leather interior. In its time, the building’s stone exterior was quite unusual as most Southern Delaware structures of its type were constructed with brick or wood. Restored for adaptive re-use in the mid-1980s, the Barn and its surrounding grounds and garden are a much sought-after venue for weddings, private parties and other special events at Historic Odessa.
The venue also has an indoor event space, the Historic Odessa Bank, formerly the New Castle County Bank of Odessa. Designed in 1855 by prominent Philadelphia-based architect Samuel Sloan, the Italianate style brick structure was renovated in 2005, preserving an early safe, night deposit box and fireplace. Today it houses the Historic Odessa Visitor’s Center. This versatile space is also used for changing exhibitions and is available for meetings, weddings, cocktail receptions and banquets.
Catering
Catering services at Historic Odessa are provided exclusively by Cantwell’s Tavern. Located in the beautiful Brick Hotel (c. 1822) next to The Bank, Cantwell’s Tavern can provide everything you need for cocktail receptions and elegant farm-to-table dining experiences. Casual fare is also available for break sessions and business meetings. Cantwell's Tavern offers in-house catering services, including buffet, plated, stations, family style, tastings, and more with servers. They serve American-style cuisine with options to customize the menu according to various dietary restrictions, including gluten-free, pork-free, nut-free, lactose-free, vegan, and vegetarian.
Historic Odessa is a one-of-a-kind special event venue. To learn more about how we can help you plan your wedding festivities, meetings or other special occasions, please contact Jennifer Cabell at (302) 378-4119.
