2019-11-07 00:52:03
Historic Odessa Foundation 201 Main Street Odessa, DE 19730 302-378-4119 www.historicodessa.org
Slavery in Delaware was truly a “peculiar institution.” The population struggled between powerful slave interests and defiant anti-slavery groups. Despite lobbying attempts by religious leaders, abolitionists and ordinary citizens to end slavery in the state, Delaware remained firmly proslavery. The town of Odessa stood at a crossroads both culturally and geographically. Odessa’s Quaker, abolitionist, and free black communities offered secret help on a heavily traveled Underground Railroad route.
The Historic Odessa Foundation’s exhibit, “Freedom Seekers: The Odessa Story” highlights the role these groups played in helping slaves escape, including Sam, a fugitive slave who approached the Corbit-Sharp House for help in the 1840s. He was hidden cleverly by Mary Corbit, and a sheriff’s posse failed to discover him. At dusk, Daniel Corbit provided food and money and sent him north.
Tour the Corbit-Sharp House c. 1772, Wilson-Warner House c. 1769 and Collins-Sharp House c. 1770. Special interactive programs explore 18th-and 19th century domestic life, economics, crafts and politics. Annual festivals include the popular open-house event, Christmas in Odessa.
Page numbers for sites on this map can be found on page 4 in the table of contents.
Next Site
To New Castle Court House Museum: Head northwest on Main Street; turn right onto US 13 N. Turn right on DE 72 E towards Delaware City. At the refinery light, turn left onto Rt. 9 N. Follow Rt. 9 to New Castle, and bear right at South Street. Take the first left onto W. 6th Street. Turn right onto Delaware Street. The court house museum is on the left in 3 blocks.
Previous Site
To Blackbird State Forest: Head northwest on Main Street; turn left onto US 13 S. Turn right onto DE 471/ Blackbird Forest Road. The state forest will be on the left in 1.9 miles.
©Maryland. View All Articles.