Deborah Buckson, Executive Director of Historic Odessa Foundation discussed their mission, to preserve and promote the five buildings and nearly 70 acres of surrounding landscape, outbuildings, and gardens, helping educate the public on the history of the town and the state of Delaware in the 18th and 19th centuries.

We talked about its history and its programming for children and families, scholars and the general public, including teas and classroom visits, lectures, workshops, object identification clinics, 18th-century hearth-cooking demonstrations and more.

She invites us to their annual Historic Odessa Brewfest, now in its 12th year, taking place Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 12 to 5:30 p.m.  There will be a Beer 5K with required stops for a brew along the course, music, food, Men’s and Women’s Steinholding Competitions endorsed by the U.S. Steinholding Association, and about 80 craft brewers.  Tickets are available at historicodessa.org

Deb offered a calendar of upcoming events, including their holiday events November 11–December 31, this year kicking off with a town wide light display and winter festival and leading into their December Holiday Tours and candlelight evening walks, this year celebrating a ‘Jane Austen Christmas.’ 

For more information about visiting the properties, the children’s programming, tickets to Brewfest or holiday events go to historicodessa.org