Those whose family members were involved in the Christiana Resistance and the Underground Railroad are invited to attend a Descendants Luncheon being presented by the Christiana Historical Society. The event will take place on Saturday, March 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Christiana Freight Station, 10 Railroad Ave., Christiana.

According to an accounting of the event provided by the historical society, the Christiana Resistance, also known as the Christiana Riot, was a slave rebellion that took place on Sept. 11, 1851, a year after the Fugitive Slave Act was passed by Congress.

The historic events occurred that day when slave owner and farmer Edward Gorsuch came from Maryland to retrieve four runaway slaves, whom he deemed to be his property. He arrived at the Christiana home of William Parker, an African American who was giving the slaves refuge. The black community took a stand and refused his demands. With the black residents receiving help from their Quaker neighbors, a confrontation ensued, ending with the death of Gorsuch. 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 historical society encourages descendants of the following families to attend the luncheon: William Parker; the four slaves - Noah Buley, Nelson Ford, George Hammond and Joshua Hammond; and the Brintons, who were involved in the Underground Railroad. The William Brinton House is home to the Christiana Historical Society.

Descendants of those who were involved in the treason trial are also invited. A list of names of those who were involved is available at http://www.facebook.com/christianahistoricalsociety.

In addition, community members are invited to hear the stories that local residents will retell, including society president Darlene Colon, who is a descendant of one of the participants in the Resistance. Students and homeschoolers are also welcome.

According to historical society member Patti Shrom, the luncheon is just one of several activities that the society sponsors as part of its efforts to preserve and maintain the history of the area.

"We are building up activities and trying to get people involved in the historical society before the 175th anniversary of the Christiana Resistance of 1851 next year," she noted. "2026 will be a big year for us. We are hoping to get people educated and give them as much information as possible and build toward that celebration."

New members with an interest in local history are welcome to join. Society meetings are held on the last Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Christina Borough building, 10 W. Slokom Ave., Christiana. As part of its Speaker Series, each meeting begins with a lecture or presentation that is open to the public.

​"We are looking for people who love history and want to learn," Shrom stated. "(Christiana) has an amazing history."

For more information and to reserve a spot at the luncheon, visit the previously mentioned Facebook page or http://www.christianahistoricalsociety.com, call 717-384-2709 or email info@christianahistoricalsociety.com. The deadline to order tickets is Friday, March 7.

Prospective members may visit the website and select "Membership" for more details.