After standing empty for several years, the Brinton House in Christiana will soon be the home of the Christiana Historical Society, with future plans calling for the establishment of a community room, a meeting space and an area to display historical exhibits.

The two-story house, located at 17 Green St., next to Latta Memorial Presbyterian Church, is owned by the Borough of Christiana, but has been leased to the historical society.

According to Darlene Colón, society president, the building once operated as a family nursery. "The Brinton family was very active in the Underground Railroad. One of the children married, so they built that house for him in 1867," she explained. "(The property) was a nursery and they raised flowers. Years ago, there were greenhouses there. They sold the property to the Smallwoods, and they ran the nursery, which is why the smokestack by the barn has the name 'Smallwood' on it. They grew magnificent roses."

A great deal of restoration work must be done in the building before it is ready to be occupied, including mold remediation. "The foundation is solid. Some of the floors have buckled (because of a water leak), so we have to get that done," said Colón. "We will have to do major fundraising and we are looking at some grants."

Assistance will be provided by students from Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster. "Thaddeus Stevens College has agreed to work with us and give us some of their students because all students have to do community service now," said Colón. "(It is appropriate) since they are learning about painting, electrical work, carpentry and masonry."

The building will eventually be used by the society to host its meetings and showcase its artifacts and memorabilia. In addition, it will provide additional space for its annual open house on Sept. 11, which commemorates the Christiana Resistance. "(The property) is on 6.7 acres, so we will be able to use it for events," said society vice president Jim Groff, who was instrumental in acquiring the building for the society.

"The building will be used as a home for the historical society, and we also want to have a community room there," Colón added. "It may be a little community cafe. We want to keep history alive."

"One thing about Christiana is we always had a place where people would sit and socialize and talk. We have lost that in our town," said Groff. "I feel that this building can bring that back. People can sit down and get to know each other again like it used to be."

Colón said she is looking forward to when the building can open its doors to the public. "It will be a boon for the community. I can see all kinds of things happening here. Communities are not in touch like they used to be, and we want to bring that back. We want to be like Mayberry," she said with a smile, referring to the town on the 1960s sitcom "The Andy Griffith Show."

For more information, search for "The Christiana Historical Society" on Facebook or email Colón at Quamony@aol.com.