Mennonite Life and the African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania will partner to offer the Underground Railroad Learning Tour for the third consecutive year. The tour will be offered on Sunday, Oct. 23, from 2 to 4 p.m., beginning at the Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, 41 Walnut St., Columbia.

Columbia was situated at a 19th-century transportation "pinch point" approximately 30 miles from the Mason-Dixon Line. Its extensive network of anti-slavery activists provided assistance to Black people fleeing enslavement. Many of those activists were free Blacks or individuals who were part of communities such as Quakers and Mennonites.

Tour guests will learn about Columbia's secret network of safe houses and why some people believe the term Underground Railroad originated in Columbia. Each guest will receive a keepsake "passport" showing the walking route and featured sites as well as a complimentary driving tour route. Several sites on the tour are part of the National Park Service's Underground Railroad Network to Freedom; an official park service stamp is available at the Columbia Crossing River Trails Center.

There is a fee to attend, and advance registration is required by Wednesday, Oct. 19. To learn more and register, visit http://www.mennonitelife.org/events or call 717-393-9745. Storytelling sites are primarily outdoors, and the learning tour will be held rain or shine. This event has sold out quickly in the past.