The Christiana Historical Society will hold its annual anniversary open house on Saturday, Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities will include historical exhibits and programs, re-enactors, book signings by local authors and a treasure hunt.

The event is designed to highlight the Christiana Resistance, a slave rebellion that took place in Christiana. According to a history provided by the society, on Sept. 11, 1851, slave owner Edward Gorsuch and his associates came from Maryland looking for runaway slaves, whom Gorsuch believed to be his property. They surrounded the home of former slave William Parker, where the fugitives were said to be hiding. Both African Americans and members of the local abolitionist Quaker community took a stand and refused his demands. Gorsuch was killed in the conflict, and others were wounded. About 40 people - both black and Quaker - were arrested and held for trial on the charge of treason. A team of lawyers, led by Congressman Thaddeus Stevens of Lancaster, came to their defense and won. The event marked one of the first episodes of African American resistance to the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act.

Events on Sept. 11 will be held at what was once known as the Zercher Hotel, 11 Green St., Christiana, the building in which those arrested were held while waiting to be transported to Philadelphia for a trial at Independence Hall, as well as at the neighboring historic property of William Brinton.

Because it is the 170th anniversary of the Resistance, this year's celebration will offer even more attractions, according to Christiana Historical Society president Darlene Colón. She is also a re-enactor and portrays Lydia Hamilton Smith, business partner of Thaddeus Stevens.

New this year is a Victorian mourning hair accessory exhibit and lecture by Lucy Cadwallader, a historical hair artisan. Attendees will be able to design their own Victorian mourning hair accessory in a program to be held at 1 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge, 115 E. Slokom Ave., Christiana. A fee will be charged. To register for the workshop, email Colón at Quamony@aol.com. Payment will be due on the day of the event.

There will be a family-oriented, walkable treasure hunt, as well as book signings by authors Harry Kendall and Joel Moore.

Visitors will be able to meet the 3rd United States Colored Infantry re-enactors and talk to the men from the Invalid Corps. Many of the men from the African American community of Christiana enlisted during the Civil War to further the fight for freedom.

Food, including barbecue chicken and rib dinners, will be offered for sale by Art Brinson.

According to Colón, who is a descendant of one the participants in the Resistance, the goal of the day is to ensure that the important role that Christiana played in history will never be forgotten. "Ezekiel Thompson was my third great-grandfather," she said. "He participated and was arrested. I (feel it is my duty) to preserve his legacy."

For more information about the event, email Colón or search for "The Christiana Historical Society" on Facebook.