Historic Odessa Foundation

06/18/2026

𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝑶𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
This 19th century crude silver pendant was once owned by Odessa’s ardent collector Mary Corbit Warner (1848-1923). It was created by cutting out the negative space of a Mexican peso coin that included a sunburst with a coned shaped “Liberty cap” proclaiming the word LIBERTY that has been worn away from either age or polish. The “Liberty cap” has deep historical roots and was originally worn by freed slaves in ancient Rome. It became a mark of liberty and was used in various revolutionary contexts throughout history in Turkey and Greece as well as early America, Mexico and France. Generally, it is legal to use coins to make and sell jewelry if the intent is not to deceive someone by trying to pass the coin off as a higher denomination. A hanging loop was soldered to the edge of this coin so it could be slipped through a chain and worn as a necklace.

06/16/2026

Introducing Historic Odessa's commemorative America 250 logo!

As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation, this special logo reflects Odessa's unique place in Delaware’s and America's story. We think it looks pretty sharp. What do you think?

06/15/2026

𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝟭𝟳𝟳𝟲!

Many thanks to Delaware News Journal's Olivia Montes!

Photo:
The salmon in cases for an intimate, colonial hearth-cooked dinner for fourteen, hosted by the Historic Odessa Foundation, are seen in the hearth of the Collins-Sharp House (c. 1700 in Odessa on March 20, 2026. The dinner uses recipes, tools and techniques of the 18th century. 𝘉𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴/𝘋𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭

Delaware Online

Humans may not be able to time travel, but step one foot in these Delaware towns, you could've sworn you did.

06/12/2026

𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚'𝐬 𝟐𝟓𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲?

Step back 250 years with Historic Odessa Foundation's Family Tours, where young explorers can experience life in early America through hands-on activities and interactive learning. Each child will be provided with a haversack filled with a spyglass, slate and pencil, pocket watch, Bilbo catcher, fire starter kit, and more.

Navigate the Historic Odessa town center with a compass, learn 18th-century manners, write with a quill and ink, solve a scavenger hunt in the Corbit-Sharp House (built two years before America declared independence from Britain), and discover what growing up in 1776 was like for many children.

Family Tours are offered Tuesday–Saturday at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. by prepaid reservation.

Just $18 for the entire family.

Call 302-378-4119 for information and reservations.

www.historicodessa.org/plan-your-visit/family-tours

06/12/2026

Join Historic Odessa Foundation on June 19 as we celebrate 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗵, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and honors the enduring pursuit of freedom.

In recognition of America’s newest national holiday, we invite you to experience our National Park Service Network to Freedom exhibit, Freedom Seekers: the Odessa Story, through a guided tour offered free of charge.

Visitors will also discover the fascinating history of silhouette portraiture and have the opportunity to preserve their likeness through this restored art form that predates the modern selfie.

Tours depart from the Visitors Center:
• 1:00 p.m. – SOLD OUT
• 2:00 p.m. – Reservations Available

Advance reservations are required by Tuesday, June 16. To reserve your spot, contact Jennifer Cabell at 302-378-4119 or [email protected].

Underground Railroad Coalition of Delaware National Park Service National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway Delaware

06/10/2026

Many thanks to WDEL reporter Mark Fowser for spotlighting the recent Odessa historical marker relocation and rededication!

Odessa is ready to show off its colonial and commercial history in this year that celebrates America's 250th anniversary.

06/10/2026

𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭
𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐎𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧!

Do you love history, education, gardening, meeting new people, or giving back to your community?

The Historic Odessa Foundation is seeking passionate volunteers to help preserve one of Delaware's most treasured National Historic Landmarks and ensure its stories continue to inspire future generations.

By donating just a few hours each month, you'll become part of a dedicated team helping to care for Odessa's remarkable historic homes, collections, gardens, and special events while making lasting friendships along the way.

Volunteer opportunities include:
• Museum Docents & Tour Guides
• Garden & Grounds Volunteers
• Library & Research Assistance
• Visitor Center Receptionists
• Administrative Support
• Special Event Volunteers, including Odessa Brewfest and holiday programs

Historic Odessa welcomes more than 100,000 visitors annually and provides educational experiences for over 4,500 schoolchildren each year. With a small staff and a committed volunteer corps, we rely on community support to continue our mission of preservation, education, and engagement.

Whether you're a history enthusiast, a lifelong learner, a gardening expert, or simply someone looking to make a meaningful impact, there's a place for you at Historic Odessa.

✨ Step into history. Share your talents. Make a difference.

For more information, contact:
Meg Kane-Smith, Volunteer Coordinator
📞 302-378-4119
📧 [email protected]

Learn more: www.historicodessa.org/about-us/volunteer

06/10/2026

𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝑶𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
This tiny quarter-size cast metal pin is one of many souvenirs that Mary Corbit Warner (1848-1923) picked up on her extensive travels along with an interesting back story. The shield shaped brooch contains painted green and gold detail with a circular opening featuring a printed paper illustration of the 12th century Schloss (Castle) Erbach. An attached handwritten card states that the pin was presented to her by the Countess Emilie of Erbach-Erbach (1852-1919) when she visited the Castle in 1909 in the historic Odenwald Forest of Hesse, just south of Frankfurt, Germany. How or why Mary was rubbing shoulders with the noblewoman, or the circumstances of her trip, may never be known but obviously she made a good impression! What is very well known is that Warner was an avid collector of souvenir spoons with nearly 200 of them now part of the HOF collection.

06/08/2026

A wealth of helpful, step-by-step information was shared with participants during the Genealogy Workshop presented by experts from the Cooch's Bridge Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

The program began with an introduction to the DAR by Cooch's Bridge Chapter Regent Michelle West, followed by an informative genealogy workshop led by Chapter Registrar Deborah Martin-Plugh.

Historic Odessa Foundation is proud to once again partner with this America/Delaware 250 organization to help connect our community with its rich history and heritage. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this engaging and educational event!

Daughters of the American Revolution National Headquarters

06/04/2026

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐬!

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, join us for a free special Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 & 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝟮𝟱𝟬 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 this 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟲, 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟭𝟭 𝗮.𝗺. 𝘁𝗼 𝟭 𝗽.𝗺. at the Historic Odessa Visitors Center.

Whether you're just beginning your family history journey or looking to strengthen years of research, this free, family-friendly event offers genealogy tips, research strategies, and one-on-one guidance from experienced Daughters of the American Revolution genealogists from the Cooch's Bridge Chapter.

Learn about:
🔹 The mission and history of the DAR
🔹 Research tools and resources available to the public
🔹 How to trace your lineage and identify Revolutionary War patriots in your family tree
🔹 The unique history and roots of the local DAR chapter

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰 "𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲-𝗶𝘁-𝗮𝗻𝗱-𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲-𝗶𝘁" 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀!

Come explore how your family's story connects to the story of America and discover how the DAR continues to preserve history and serve our communities today.

📅 Saturday, June 6, 2026
🕚 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
📍 Historic Odessa Visitors Center, 2nd & Main Streets, Odessa, DE

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

Bring your notes, your questions, and your curiosity—we're here to help you succeed!

Daughters of the American Revolution Headquarters