Open house for Lathrop House in Sylvania

The Lathrop House in Sylvania, the principle portion of which was built from 1848-1850, served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Dozens of people attended an open house Sept. 22, which featured historical actors talking with groups about the home's history. Click on any image to enlarge photo, start slideshow.

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Friends of Lathrop House treasurer K. LaVerne Redden, right, shows a packed room the built-in openings children will be ... THE BLADE/KATIE RAUSCH

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Burnetta O'Neal, of Ottawa Hills, right, joined other local residents during the open house. THE BLADE/KATIE RAUSCH

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Friends of Lathrop House treasurer K. LaVerne Redden, right, spoke to a packed room Saturday during an open house at ... THE BLADE/KATIE RAUSCH

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Interior plans for reconstruction of the basement inside the Lathrop House were on display. THE BLADE/KATIE RAUSCH

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Visitors leave the Lathrop House in Harroun Park Saturday afternoon after an open house at the historic residence in Sylvania.... THE BLADE/KATIE RAUSCH

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Local broadcaster Rob Thomas reads the Emancipation Proclamation. THE BLADE/KATIE RAUSCH

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Friends of Lathrop House treasurer K. LaVerne Redden rings a bell announcing local broadcaster Rob Thomas', right, reading of the ... THE BLADE/KATIE RAUSCH

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Lori Watkins, of Sylvania Township, center, snaps a picture of the false oven abolitionists used to hide runaway slaves. THE BLADE/KATIE RAUSCH

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Lana Raney, of Sylvania Township, takes a peek at the reconstructed space runaway slaves would have stowed away in at ... THE BLADE/KATIE RAUSCH

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Reconstruction continues on the space used to house runaway slaves at the Lathrop House in Sylvania. THE BLADE/KATIE RAUSCH