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Country Tour
These five houses and two churches are part of our country tour. They are best reached by car. Your Christmas In Odessa tour guide will have a map and directions to theses houses.
Andrew Eliason House 4353 Summit Bridge Road Odessa, Delaware (parking on street only) |
The Andrew Eliason House is accentuated by period furnishings and is the home of Judith Fisher and Katherine Bannon. Nominated in 1985 to the National Register of Historic Places, this three story, 16 room, brick Federal plantation house was built by Andrew Eliason in 1856. The home and carriage house stand on only 1.64 acres of what was once 900 acres of prosperous farmland. The Eliason house, as ostentatious as Andrew's biography, still maintains its high ceilings, plaster crown mouldings, hand carved marble fireplace, pine floors, and Egyptian Revival mouldings. During the Civil War, the home's forty windowsills were whitewashed to conceal its rich appearance for fear the soldiers would raid and loot the house for its wealth. Andrew Eliason's story is one of rags to riches, beginning as a drover on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and culminating with his success as a wealthy landowner and farmer. He was well respected in his time and was a loving husband and father to his eight children. He was one of the directors of the Peoples National Bank of Middletown and was on the Board of Trustees of the Forest Presbyterian Church. As a member of the House of Representatives, Andrew Eliason introduced the first bill securing property rights to married women and pushed to pass the law which prohibits the sales of liquor in Delaware on Election Day. Open 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM |
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The Baker Residence 142 Bakerfield Drive Estates at Commodore II Middletown, DE |
The Baker Residence is the home of Barry and Paulette Baker. This house, an American Colonial Country house, was built in 1989-1990 in the Estates at Commodore II. The house plan was found in the April 1998 edition of Early American Life magazine. It is typical of the 18th century story-and-a-half found in the Virginia tidewater region. A balanced facade is set off by two useful wings. The main section has handmade bricks laid in the Flemish board pattern. Redwood beaded siding is lapped on the exterior wings and flush on the dormers. The roof is cedar shingles with a cornice below faced with crown molding and dentil blocks. Inside, nine-foot ceilings, paneled wainscoting, detailed molding, and random width pine floors are found. Over 200 year old reclaimed barn siding and beams are used throughout the house. Found locally, they wear the original finish. In 2011 a sunroom addition was built. Field stone and old barn board face the exterior. Inside beams from a Newark grist mill were used along with a diamond patterned red-oak floor and stained glass window removed from a demolished church. The sun room is currently used as a playroom for a grandchild. Open 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM |
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Fairview 602 Old State Road Middletown, DE |
Fairview is the home of Reed and Katie Macmillan. Fairview was built by Major James Moore of the Delaware Continentals shortly after his acquisition of the 171 acre farm in 1773. Moore a successful wheat farmer, was also involved in local politics, the building of Drawyer’s Church and the promotion of a local newspaper until his death in 1802. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Fairview is cited as one of the best preserved examples of rural Georgian architecture in the State of Delaware. An addition was made to the main house in the early nineteenth century to accommodate the new kitchen. The inclusion of such service functions into the house was a pattern of building that was not to become general in the area for at least another 40 years. Open 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM |
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Governor Biggs Mansion 210 North Cass Street Middleton, DE |
The Governor Biggs Mansion is the home of Wende and Jay Greene. Built in 1877 for Governor Benjamin T. Biggs, the three story, 23 room Second Empire Victorian Mansion of solid brick interior and exterior walls has been carefully restored. The roof is mansard with 17 dormers. The first floor has 12 foot ceilings, floor to ceiling staircase wraps to the third floor. the ballroom, parlor, and dining rooms boast decorative fireplace mantels, mirrors, and chandeliers. Two master suites with 11 foot ceilings comprise the second floor. In earlier years, the rear portion of the third floor was a servant quarters. Governor Biggs, born in 1821, served two years in Congress and was a peach grower. Open 10:00 AM until 7:00 PM |
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Skrobot Residence 200 North Cass Street Middleton, DE |
The Skrobot Residence is the home of Pete and Tracy Skrobot. Built in 1850 by Samuel B. Ginn, this house is said to be the oldest on the block. The exterior of this Gothic Revival home with a round basement was restored to the original cedar clapboard siding. All of the windows, shutters, and hardware are in working order. The floor plan has not been altered and boasts 12 foot ceilings in the parlor, hallway, and formal dining room where the original chandelier still hangs. Antique and reproduction furnishings are happily blended throughout the house. Recent research traced the first sale of the house to 1874. The current residents are the ninth owners of this house. Open 10:00 AM until 7:00 PM |
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Friends Meeting House Route 299 ext. of Main Street Odessa, DE |
The Meeting House was built in 1883 by David Wilson, Sr., as a convenient place for worship for the Appoquinimink Meeting. However, in 1828 a decision occurred causing the congregation to separate into the Hicksites (followers of the rebellious Elias Hicks) and the Orthodox Quakers. In the hands of the Hicksites the congregation waned, and eventually the members gave up the Meeting House after the death of its sole member, John Alston. The Meeting House closed for many years and was reopened in 1950. It is open to the public for Quaker Meeting for Worship on the first and third Sunday of each month at 11:00 a.m. A representative of Friends will be present to give a historical narrative about the Meeting House. Open from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM. |
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Old Drawyers Church Route 13 South Odessa, DE |
Built in 1773 as a Presbyterian Church, Old Drawyers is now used for special occasions only, including weddings. Friends of Old Drawyers maintain and care for the church and cemetery. The Annual Meeting and service is held on the first Sunday in June. Services will begin at 2 PM followed by refreshments. A print of Old Drawyers by artist Larry Anderson will be on sale and Larry will be there to sign the prints. Dorothy Colburn's book "Old Drawyers - The First Presbyterian Church in St. Georges Hundred" will be on sale. Open from Noon until 4:00 PM. |
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