Decorated in traditional finery of green boughs, berries, fruits and candles, the colonial House in the Horseshoe State Historic Site invites visitors to travel back in time to experience a colonial Christmas celebration on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is free.

A special feature of this year's open house will be a book signing by Suzanne Adair, who will be autographing her new novel, "Paper Woman."

Set in the South during the American Revolution, "Paper Woman" is the story of Sophy Barton, a young woman living on the frontier in Georgia, and the daughter of a newspaper printer. When her father is implicated in a plot against the British, she must help clear his name and finds she must take a stand on the war for American Independence.

Adair will be signing her novel from noon to 3 p.m.

Costumed guides will explain holiday traditions of the period as well as the history of the house. While the food on the dinner table is only for display, out on the grounds we will be serving free spiced cider, cookies, and other refreshments.

Colonial reenactors relate tales of the militia men, cook venison over an open fire, and demonstrate the uses of muskets, rifles and cannons.

The House in the Horseshoe is located at 288 Alston House Rd., 16 miles west of Sanford off N.C. 42, and 10 miles north of Carthage on the Carbonton-Carthage Road.

For more information, call Elizabeth Faison at 910-947-2051.