Living History Weekends and events at Compass Inn Museum

July Living HIstory weekend

July 20 & 21, 2024, 10 am-4 pm

Journey back through time on the historic grounds of Compass Inn Museum to see what was happening in Ligonier Valley during the early 1800s. Think Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.”

Rachel and Robert Armor arrived in Laughlintown in 1814, 210 years ago when they traveled from eastern Pennsylvania, a six-day ride in a stagecoach, and purchased the old inn built by Philip Freeman renaming it Compass Hotel. This living history weekend will celebrate their arrival highlighting the roles of early American merchants.

The Living History Weekend includes period-dressed, docent-led tours of the historic Compass Inn and outbuildings. In addition, there will be cooking and blacksmithing demonstrations and children’s activities. General admission is $14 for adults, $12 for adults (62+), $10 for youth (6-18), and free for children 5 & younger. Tickets can be purchased on-site on the day of the event.

On Saturday from 2 to 5 pm, there will be a Midsummer Country Dance. To purchase tickets and learn more details, click here.

On Sunday, as part of your general admission fee at 12:30 pm there will be a demonstration on the language of hand fans, and at 2:30 pm there will be a fashion show featuring the 4 fashion periods in which Compass Inn was in operation.

August Living History Weekend

August 17 & 18, 10am-4pm

Proctor's Independent Battalion

Journey back in time and visit with the soldiers and camp followers of the present-day Independent Battalion, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, now known as Proctor’s Batallion. They portray the riflemen of the first American Troops west of the Allegheny Mountains. At that time the ‘Wild West’ was not as west as one would think. The Laurel Highlands separated the developing east from the wild frontier. Proctor’s, named after John Proctor, Sherrif of Westmoreland County was formed and tasked with protecting this frontier border.

Today, the men and women of Proctor’s Batallion bring to life the members and camp followers who were midwives, surgeons, cooks, seamstresses, and more. Camp followers were typically the wives and girlfriends of soldiers who had to prove their worth to the unit and were subject to military discipline just like the soldiers.

Throughout the weekend Proctor’s Battalion will be encamped on the historic grounds of Compass Inn Museum. They will have displays and demonstrations of the tasks and skills useful for living in the unit. The battalion will demonstrate musket and cannon firing skills, daily at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm.

General admission is $14 for adults, $12 for adults (62+), $10 for youth (6-18), and free for children 5 & younger. Tickets can be purchased on-site on the day of the event.

Admission includes tours of the historic Compass Inn and outbuildings, cooking and blacksmithing demonstrations, and children’s activitiess.

Email lvhscompassinn@gmail.com or call (724) 238-4983 for more information.

Hammer In: A blacksmithing event

July 27, 2024, 10 am-3 pm

Imagine iron glowing, water sizzling, and the sound of multiple blacksmiths striking their anvils all at once, making a resounding ringing in the air.  If you can, this event is for you. Multiple soot-covered smithies from Compass Inn Museum and the Pittsburgh Area Artists Blacksmith Association will demonstrate this historic important trade and modern-day craft throughout the historic grounds.

General admission is $14 for adults, $12 for adults (62+), and $10 for youth (6-18).  Admission is free for children 5 years old and younger. Tickets can be purchased on-site on the day of the event.  At no additional charge, period-dressed docents will be on hand to give tours of the historic inn. In addition, there will be cooking demonstrations and fun engaging children’s activities.

Do you still have questions? Please get in touch with us at lvhscompassinn@gmail.com or 724-238-4983.