Prospect Hill, the historic home and plantation south of Lorman in Jefferson County targeted for restoration and archaeological research, will be the site of an informal open house Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.

At what’s being dubbed an “Early Summer Soiree — Prospect Hill Style” visitors are invited to come and go as they please and tour the house, grounds and cemetery that once belonged to Isaac Ross, whose 1836 will gave his slaves their freedom and the means to emigrate to Liberia, the West African country where former slaves were repatriated by the American Colonization Society.

Ross’ will was contested by his grandson, and the original house was later burned by slaves angry over their treatment. Many escaped, and those who stayed built the house that still stands there.

Prospect Hill was acquired in August by the Albuquerque-based Archaeological Conservancy, which hopes to resell it and retain archaeological rights. The site appears on Mississippi Heritage Trust’s 2011 10 Most Endangered Historic Places, and the Trust, the Historic Natchez Foundation and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History are assisting in finding a buyer.

Jessica Crawford, director of the Southeast region, said “several parties” are interested.

Guided tours and formal talks are not planned, but interpretive signs and information about Prospect Hill’s tangled history will be on display. Tables and chairs will be available for picnicking, and live music featured at 1:30 p.m.

For directions, call or email the southeastern office of the Conservancy at 662-326-0025 or tacsoutheast@cableone.net.