The other night was the last candlelight tour for the year of the Historic Houses of Odessa, Delaware and my friends and I took the opportunity to first have dinner at Cantwell's Tavern and then tour the 3 houses decorated for the season.
First came the c. 1769 Wilson-Warner house, which had Christmas trees decorated by various groups such as the DAR. One of the trees was decorated with ladybugs, the State bug, another with nutcrackers (both from the collection of the woman who took us through the house).
Our next stop was next door at the Corbit-Sharp house, c. 1774. This home was decorated to fit the theme of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Having just watched the 1951 
version on TV the night before, the names were all fresh in my mind. Who can forget Fezziwig? His party was portrayed in the 2nd floor music room. The millwork in this home is very detailed with even the chair rails in the music room carved with fantastic detail.
One of the most fascinating and different rooms was on the first floor, decorated to recall Scrooge's accounting office. There were several antique desks, plus the main desk had antique boxes and a pile of coins ready to be tallied by the bookkeeper. We were told that the gentleman who arranged this tableau moved furniture from various parts of the house and borrowed the authentic looking coins from a friend. All to good effect, I might add!
The houses will be closed in January and February, but you can come back when the gardens are in bloom in this lovely town on the Appoquinimink Creek.
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