The Christiana Historical Society (CHS) will present Christiana Heritage Days on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9 and 10. The event is designed to celebrate the history of Christiana, which has a motto of "Freedom Began Here," and to highlight the Christiana Resistance, a slave rebellion that took place in Christiana on Sept. 11, 1851.

Activities will take place on the grounds of the William P. Brinton House, 17 Green St., Christiana. The building, which is currently undergoing renovations, was once owned by the Brinton family members, who were stationmasters on the Underground Railroad.

Events that will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 9 include historical displays, an appearance by Civil War re-enactors and exhibitors. "The Christiana Fire Company will provide activities for children," said Kathy Patterson, CHS secretary, noting that a photo booth will be available.

A chicken barbecue will be prepared on-site by Randy Yoder, with proceeds from sales to benefit CHS. Two food trucks - Mocha Motion Coffee and 22bbq - will also be on hand.

Historic wagon tours of the borough will be offered for a fee. Costumed tour guides will provide information about each site on the tour.

Heritage Days is also designed as way for area residents and visitors to learn about the Christiana Resistance, which occurred when a slave owner came from Maryland to retrieve a slave, whom he deemed to be his property. The black community took a stand and refused his demands. With the black residents receiving help from their Quaker neighbors, a confrontation ensued, which ended with the death of the slave owner. 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.

"We meet people that know a little bit about the Resistance but not the whole story," noted Patterson. "We will fill in a lot of personal details."

Darlene Colón, society president, who is a descendant of one of the participants in the Resistance, will be at the Underground Railroad Museum, 11 Green St., on Sept. 9 to offer guided tours. Once known as Zercher's Hotel, the building was used to hold those who were arrested during the Resistance while they awaited transport to Philadelphia for trial.

Also on Sept. 9, there will be demonstrations of early American crafts, including yarn spinning and tinsmithing, at the Christiana Masonic Lodge, 115 E. Slokom Ave.

The Heritage Days celebration will continue on Sept. 10 with a worship service at 10 a.m. followed by a potluck lunch at noon under the tent at the Brinton House. The Lancaster Choir will perform at 2 p.m. at Latta Presbyterian Church, 23 Green St., which is located next the Brinton House.

All proceeds from Heritage Days will benefit the Brinton House restoration project. For more information, to reserve wagon tour tickets or to register for a museum tour, visit http://www.christianahistoricalsociety.com and choose "Events." More information is also available by searching for "The Christiana Historical Society" on Facebook.