Historic Odessa Foundation

05/29/2026

𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐎𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚!

Step back in time this Saturday, May 30, and celebrate the road to 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮'𝘀 𝟮𝟱𝟬𝘁𝗵 birthday at the Historic Odessa Foundation's free America 250 Presentation featuring the 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗦𝗔𝗥). Running from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., this special program offers a fascinating glimpse into the people and events that helped shape our nation's founding.

While you're here, make a day of it! Tour Historic Odessa's beautifully preserved 18th- and 19th-century homes, stroll the picturesque colonial village, and explore current exhibits, "Common Ground: Landscapes, City Views, and Quiet Rooms," showcasing the works of Delaware artist Rolando Corpus; and "Surprise: Mary's Pocket Watch."

And no visit to Odessa is complete without a stop at Cantwell's Tavern, where visitors can enjoy farm-to-table fare in the historic Brick Hotel, built 204 years ago.

History, architecture, dining, and small-town charm come together for the perfect day trip. Join us as we honor our past and celebrate the journey to 1776–2026.

To plan your tour, visit www.historicodessa.org.

05/27/2026

𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝑶𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
Two surviving paper labels pasted on the interior of this early 19th century American mahogany sideboard verify the cabinetmaker as George Whitelock (1780-1833), a Wilmington businessman who was also a noted chairmaker. Nineteenth century American sideboards originated from English designs. They were created for the storage and display of silver and china and evolved from simple serving slab tables into large cabinets with drawers, cupboards, and specialized compartments. Some designs even spanned the entire side of a wall, reflecting one’s wealth and social status. This stunning six-legged and bowed center sideboard was recently returned from a short stay at a restorer where it was meticulously cleaned to enhance the highly figured veneers and inlayed details, and all the hardware was polished, aligned and reattached. Interestingly, a piece similar to this was listed on David Wilson Jr.’s bankruptcy auction list of 1829. Now visitors can see this latest show-stopping addition to the dining room of the National Historic Register Wilson-Warner House.

05/27/2026

Step back into the spirit of the 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 this 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟑𝟎, 𝟏𝟏 𝐚.𝐦. 𝐭𝐨 𝟏 𝐩.𝐦., for a family-friendly event hosted by the 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐒𝐀𝐑) at the Historic Odessa Foundation!

Guests will have the opportunity to meet members of the Sons of the American Revolution and learn about the patriots they proudly descend from, while discovering the mission and history of the SAR. The presentation will explore how the organization promotes patriotism, preserves Revolutionary War history, and inspires future generations through education and community engagement.

Interested in tracing your own Revolutionary-era ancestry? Attendees will also learn how to begin the process of registering for SAR membership.

𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 “𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞-𝐢𝐭-𝐚𝐧𝐝-𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞-𝐢𝐭” 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬.

Saturday, May 30, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Historic Odessa Visitors Center
2nd & Main Streets, Odessa, Delaware

🎟 FREE Admission | Pre-registration requested
📞 (302) 378-4119
📧 [email protected]

Join us for an engaging afternoon celebrating patriotism, family heritage, and America’s founding history!

Sons of the American Revolution

05/26/2026

A week ago we held a rededication ceremony for Odessa's historical marker, now relocated to the historic center of town in front of Cantwell's Tavern. Delaware Public Media was there! Thanks to reporter Israel Hale for attending and covering the event. His story is in the link.

Odessa’s historical marker now has a home much closer to the town’s historic district.

05/20/2026

𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝑶𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
This charming early 20th century French porcelain and enameled box was created in Limoges and retailed in Paris. A perfect engagement or wedding memento, it may well have been a gift to a beloved. It is decorated with small floral arrangements and a cursive sentimental French phrase that translates as “one heart, one soul.” Originating in the Bible (Acts 4:32), these words are often included in marriage vows and love songs. This box form in earlier centuries was sometimes called a s***f box or patch box but practically speaking, it was probably used as a pill box by its 20th century owners. So much for romance…

***fbox

05/18/2026

The Historic Odessa Foundation along with state and local officials proudly rededicated the relocated Odessa Historic Marker this afternoon, celebrating the town’s rich colonial and commercial history as part of America’s upcoming Semiquincentennial observance. Originally installed in 1932 along U.S. Route 13, the marker now stands in a more visible and accessible location in front of Cantwell's Tavern in Odessa’s historic district.

Remarks were made by Brian Miller, who spearheaded the marker relocation with the support of Delaware State Senator Stephanie Hansen. Additional remarks were delivered by Sen. Hansen, Debbie Buckson, Mayor Harvey C. Smith Jr., and Monique Williams-Johns. The Odessa High School Marching Band performed the National Anthem, “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Standing in front of the newly relocated Odessa Historic Marker is, from left, Brian Miller, Historic Odessa Foundation Associate Curator; Harvey C. Smith Jr., Mayor of Odessa; Debbie Buckson, Executive Director, Historic Odessa Foundation; Delaware State Senator Stephanie Hansen; Monique Williams-Johns, President, New Castle County Council; and H. Donnan Sharp, Founding Board Member, Historic Odessa Foundation.

Sen. Stephanie Hansen Monique Williams-Johns President of NCC Council Delaware Public Archives Delaware 250 Visit Delaware Delaware Historical and Cultural Affairs Delaware Greenways Delaware Bayshore Byway Delaware Historical Society Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley

05/18/2026

At today's, Monday, May 18th, Historic Marker Rededication Ceremony in Historic Odessa.

05/18/2026