Corbit-Sharp House Virtual Tour

EVENTS > VIRTUAL PROGRAMS

The remarkable Corbit-Sharp House in Odessa is considered the finest example of Georgian architecture in Delaware. In this Virtual Tour, explore the house and collection with Debbie Buckson, Executive Director of the Historic Odessa Foundation. William Corbit, a Quaker and a tanner, commissioned architect Robert May to build the home in 1772-74, and the house stayed in the Corbit family until 1938. Knowledge of the site and the Corbit family is richly informed by building and business records, the architect’s invoice, and an inventory taken in 1818 at the time of William Corbit’s death. Beyond the exquisite architecture, the site boasts a superb collection of important decorative arts representative of the region’s craft traditions, much of which were owned by Corbit and his descendants, including furniture by notable 18th-century cabinetmaker John Janvier. Debbie shares a range of marvelous objects, including a Janvier-made chest of drawers that is inspiring continued research and investigation. We hope you enjoy learning more about Odessa, William Corbit, John Janvier, and more in this pay-what-you-can Virtual Tour!

Length: 27 minutes

Registration Fee: Pay What You Can

After you register, you will receive an email with a link to view this Virtual Tour.

Learn more about Historic Odessa in this article from The Magazine of the Decorative Arts Trust.

Members have the opportunity to explore the Corbit-Sharp House with special access at the Historic Odessa Foundation during our upcoming spring symposium Art, Landscape, and Heritage: Winterthur and the Brandywine Valley in April 2025. Registration opens soon!