Historic White Chimneys, along with the Historical Society of Salisbury Township, will celebrate its 300th anniversary with a gala on Saturday, July 3, from noon to 9 p.m.

The free community celebration will feature a Civil War encampment, musicians, crafts, speakers, a carriage display, equestrian demonstrations, period dancers, antiques, food trucks and an appearance by re-enactor Erik Burro portraying William Penn. The day will conclude with a fireworks display.

The celebration is also designed to commemorate local history. In 1701, William Penn spent the night in Gap, then known as Gap-in-the-Hills, on his way to Conestoga to sign a peace treaty with the Native Americans, thereby making Gap a part of history. "'William Penn' is coming back to the area for the first time since 1701," event organizer Kathleen Hood said with a smile.

According to a history timeline provided by Hood, White Chimneys started as a log cabin built in 1720 by Francis Jones. Six years later, he received a license to open the Francis Jones Tavern. An addition was made to the original cabin in 1790. "Jones' granddaughter married a Slaymaker, and they purchased the building in 1779," Hood noted. "The Slaymaker family held the property for over 200 years. In the 1800s, Hannah Slaymaker made a remark about the beauty of the white chimneys on the house, and the name stuck."

In 1923, the final addition was put on the house, and in the 1960s and '70s the building operated as a museum. In 1974, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1999, it was sold to a family that ran an antique shop, but it was sold again in 2006 to the Meyer family.

Hood noted that the upcoming gala was originally scheduled for 2020, White Chimneys' 300th year. "When Jessica Meyer, who owns White Chimneys with her father, Jack, was thinking of having this 300th anniversary (gala), she asked me to help plan the event and I was honored to do so," said Hood. "It was supposed to be held on July 4, 2020, and it was canceled due to the pandemic."

All of the attractions planned for 2020 will take place this year instead. "We have Victorian dancers, Native American musicians, speakers and the encampment by the 69th Irish Volunteers Regiment," Hood noted. "Rough and Tumble (Engineers Historical Association) is bringing threshing machines, tractors and steam engines." Everyone who attends the event will receive an entry form to win a commemorative quilt that will be given away through a random drawing.

Hood noted that the entire White Chimneys property will be utilized throughout the event. "The guest speakers will be in the barn. The regiment will be outdoors in tents," she said. "The crafters and the art exhibit by the Lancaster County Art Association will be under canopies."

Historic White Chimneys is located at 5117 Lincoln Highway, Gap. A complete schedule for the day is available at http://www.whitechimneys.com/300th-anniversary.

In addition to the free events, a dinner served by Alexander Catering of West Chester will be offered from 6 to 9 p.m. For more information and tickets, visit http://www.eventbrite.com and search for "Historic White Chimneys 300th Anniversary Gala Presidential Dinner."