After 10 years of owning historic Fairfield Inn, the owners have put it up for auction.

The 250-year-old inn, at 15 W. Main St. in Fairfield, will be auctioned at 11 a.m. Saturday by Fortna Auctioneers & Marketing Group of Annville, Lebanon County.

The inn currently is owned by Gettysburg couple Sal and Joan Chandon.

"We bought the inn 10 years ago with a goal to retire in 10 years," said Sal Chandon in a statement. "We feel this is the perfect time (to sell). This is a great opportunity for someone new to join the exclusive society of continuous operation of the Inn since 1757. Joan and I feel very special to be part of that history."

The inn is being sold "turn key" and includes fixtures, antiques, inventory and a liquor license, according to the auctioneers' website at www.fortnaauctioneers.com.

There is interest among potential buyers to purchase the inn before the tourist-attracting commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War's Battle of Gettysburg in the summer of 2013, Fortna Auctioneers said in a news release.

Auctioning Fairfield Inn would provide a faster sale than a normal real estate selling process, the auction company said.

Also, the inn would remain open to the public throughout the sale process. Although the inn will be sold at the auction, the property's title would not be passed on to the new owners until after the holidays, giving them time to get acquainted with staff and customers, the auction company said.

"And with all the reservations we have on the books already for 2013, the business of the inn is in great shape," Sal Chandon said. "We will be handing over a very busy inn."