Corbit–Sharp House facts for kids
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Corbit–Sharp House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Corbit–Sharp House in May, 2016
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 Location in Delaware
Location in the United States
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| Location | 118 Main St., Odessa, Delaware |
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| Area | 25 acres (10 ha) |
| Built | 1772 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Part of | Odessa Historic District (ID71000227) |
| NRHP reference No. | 67000004 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 24, 1967 |
| Designated NHL | December 24, 1967 |
| Designated CP | June 21, 1971 |
The Corbit–Sharp House is a very old and important house in Odessa, Delaware. You can find it at 118 Main Street. This house was built a long time ago, between 1772 and 1774. It is one of the best examples of a brick Georgian-style house in the Mid-Atlantic states of the USA.
Because it is so special, the house was named a National Historic Landmark in 1967. It is also part of the Odessa Historic District, which protects many old buildings in the town. The Corbit–Sharp House has been a museum since 1940, letting people learn about its history.
About the Corbit–Sharp House
The Corbit–Sharp House is located on the south side of Main Street in the middle of Odessa. It is a two-and-a-half-story building made of brick. The roof is shaped like a pyramid with a flat top, and it has a low fence around the flat part. There are also windows that stick out from the roof, called dormers.
The front of the house has five sections, with the main door in the middle. Above the door is a fancy decoration with a small roof. The windows are rectangular and have special stone tops. The windows on the first floor have solid wooden covers, while the second-floor windows have slatted covers. This was a common style in Delaware. Inside, the house has a main hallway with beautiful wooden decorations. The living room and dining room also have lovely original woodwork, including fancy panels around the fireplaces.
Who Lived Here?
A man named William Corbit built this house in 1774. He was an important local tanner, which means he prepared animal hides to make leather. William Corbit had business connections with the city of Philadelphia. This likely helped him get the best builders and materials for his high-quality house.
The Corbit family owned the house until 1938. Then, a person named Rodney Sharp bought it. He worked to fix up the house and several other important old buildings in Odessa. While he was working on the house's yard, William Corbit's old tannery buildings were removed.
Visiting the House Today
Today, the Corbit–Sharp House is owned and managed by an organization called Historic Houses of Odessa. The house is decorated to look like it did in the late 1700s. It is one of five historic properties in Odessa that you can visit on a tour.
Other buildings managed by the organization include the 1769 Wilson–Warner House, the 1700 Collins–Sharp House, the 1822 Brick Hotel, and the 1853 Odessa Bank. You can take tours of these historic places from March through December each year.
See also
