In the mid-1700s, the "Wild West" wasn't as west as one would think. The Laurel Highlands separated the early Pennsylvania colony from the wild frontier. This western-border had to be protected from Native and British attacks. Proctor's Militia, named after John Proctor, the Sheriff of Westmorland County, was formed and tasked with protecting this frontier border.

Today, Proctor's Militia is brought back to life, as the Independent Battalion Westmoreland County Pennsylvania. This American Revolutionary War Reenactment Unit portrays frontier and militia life in Southwestern Pennsylvania during the 18th Century. Proctor's Militia will be setting up camp on Compass Inn Museum's historic grounds and will give demonstrations Saturday, August, 17th and Sunday, August, 18th.

The men and women of Proctor's Militia will depict the lives of camp followers, midwives, surgeons, and leather workers. Camp followers were typically the thousands of wives and girlfriends of soldiers, who had to prove their worth to the unit and were subject to military discipline just like the soldiers. Required to be of good character and productive members of the unit, these camp followers were vital to the function of the army by performing a variety of tasks, including laundry, sewing, tending cattle and other odd jobs.

Another display will feature midwifery equipment. During the Revolutionary period, midwives tended to the needs of childbirth and women's medical issues. Melissa Makofske interprets an 18th-century midwife with a birthing chair, salves, herbs and tools to make various remedies while discussing what a midwife is responsible for and medicine throughout the century.

The captain of Proctor's Militia will be giving gunsmithing demonstrations throughout the weekend. In addition to the encampment, there will be blacksmithing and cooking demonstrations in the blacksmith forge and cookhouse. Guided tours of Compass Inn and the stagecoach and Conestoga Wagon will also be offered.

Compass Inn Museum is an authentically restored, early 1800s stagecoach inn on the original Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Turnpike. Offering guided tours of the Inn, outbuildings, and restored stagecoach by costumed docents, the museum gives visitors a look into the functioning of the Inn and the stagecoach experience.

Living History Weekend activities are free with paid admission. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for senior citizens, $6 for children 6-17, and free for children 5 and under. Regular operating hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. May through October. Compass Inn Museum is located along Route 30 in Laughlintown, PA, three miles east of Ligonier. Phone: (724) 238-4983. You may also visit our website at www.compassinn.org.

The summer-sun beats down on the dirty, wool uniforms. The air is dense and hot. Sweat pours off the brow. Horses strain to pull the weight of the heavy bronze cannons. The unit in gray marches north to Gettysburg. The year is 1863. The soldiers in Carpenter's Battery find themselves on course to the turning point of the American Civil War. The exhausted troops breathe a sigh of relief at the orders to set up camp for the evening. A sign along the dirt road reads "Compass Inn", and a decision is made to stop. Tents are pitched, meals are cooked, songs are sung, and rest is granted. The troops awake to sounds of laughter and conversation. Peering through the tent flaps, the soldiers look out into a new world. Carpenter's Battery emerge onto the grounds of Compass Inn Museum, and find themselves in the midst of the 2019 July Living History Weekend.

Making a guest appearance to Compass Inn Museum is Mary Todd Lincoln! Mary Todd, portrayed by Joanne Shelby-Klein of Monroeville, will be appearing on Sunday July 21, 2019 at the Compass Inn Laughlintown Pa from 1:00 pm-5:00pm. Joanne has been researching and portraying Mrs. Lincoln since 1993. In 2005 she won the Outstanding Mary Lincoln Award from the Association of Lincoln Presenters. She is also a member of the 9th Pa Reserves Civil War Re-enactment unit based in Pittsburgh, as well as the Mary Lincoln Coterie. Joanne will have on display at the Compass Inn several reproduction pieces of the Lincoln White House China, as well as reproduction pieces of Mrs. Lincoln's jewelry. She will also be interacting with the public in First Person, talking about Mrs. Lincoln's life in the White House and the Civil War.

Displayed in Compass Inn Museum's "1862 Room", an exhibit honoring Robert Armor's son, William. Major William Armor fought in several major battles of the Civil War, including the Battle of Antietam and Gettysburg. Armor eventually became an aide to General William Tecumseh Sherman.

In addition to the scheduled activities, visitors can participate in tours of the barn and Inn, blacksmithing and cooking demonstrations, and kid's activities.

Compass Inn Museum is an early 1800s stagecoach inn on the original Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Turnpike. Offering guided tours of the Inn, outbuildings, and stagecoach by costumed docents, the museum gives visitors a look into the functioning of the Inn and the stagecoach experience.

Living History Weekend activities are free with paid admission. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for senior citizens, $6 for children 6-17, and free for children 5 and under. Living History will run from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday and 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Sunday. Compass Inn Museum is located along Route 30 in Laughlintown, PA, three miles east of Ligonier. Phone: (724) 238-4983. You may also visit our website at www.compassinn.org or email aseim@compassinn.org for more info.

Ligonier Valley Historical Society is a 501 c-3, non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the heritage and history of the Ligonier Valley for present and future generations.

This action-packed, weeklong event allows your young historian to experience olden times like never before. They will have a wonderful opportunity to see life through the eyes of the children living at a 1800s stagecoach stop. Over the course of camp, they will cook a delicious, traditional, and authentic early 19th century meal in Compass Inn Museum’s Cookhouse. While they are interacting in the daily living skills, they will also engage in the origins of modern science, through conducting hands-on and stimulating activities and experiments of the 1800s. At week’s end, the young campers will perform a skit they have worked on throughout their time at Compass Inn Museum, demonstrating the exciting and perilous duties of a stagecoach driver and their passengers. You will not want them to miss out on this unique and exciting opportunity to journey to the past while having lots of fun!!

The weeklong camp fees are $110 for Ligonier Valley Historical Society Members or $125 for non-members, per child. There is a $10 sibling discount for each sibling entered into the program. Contact Amanda Seim at aseim@compassinn.org or call at (724) 238-4983 for more information.

Ligonier Valley Historical Society is a 501 c-3, non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the heritage and history of the Ligonier Valley for present and future generations.

It's never too early to start thinking about the perfect Father's Day gift. Why not give dad an experience he will be sure to never forget? The Ligonier Valley Historical Society has the perfect event for the entire family. We are proud to present our annual Hammer In blacksmith event, on June 15th, 2019, from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm, at the Compass Inn Museum, in conjunction with Children's Living History Weekend.

Hammer In gives Compass Inn Museum's blacksmiths, as well as the Pittsburgh Area Artists Blacksmith Association, the opportunity to get their hands dirty, and put their craft on display. Get a first-hand look at the skill and precision of our 25 blacksmiths, as you delve into this ancient practice. Feel the heat, and watch sparks fly as our aproned craftsman give metal form. Each metal piece will be for sale in the museum shop, and the lucky fathers will be entered into a drawing to win a piece made in our very own blacksmith shop!

While enjoying Hammer In be sure to take the guided family friendly tour of the restored stagecoach stop, and participate in early 19th century games, demonstrations, activities and everyday life. This year's focus is on early 19th century science! Did you know the term "scientist" and "dinosaur" came out of the early 19th century? The automobile, dynamite, and locomotives are some of the countless world-changing inventions to come out of this time period!

Let dad know your love is as strong as steel, and join us June 15th and 16th!

Admission for both Hammer In and Children's Living History is as follows:

Adults - $10 Adults 62 and over - $9 Youth (Ages 6-17) - $6 Children 5 and under, Active Military, and Ligonier Valley Historical Society members - Free

Call 724-238-4983 for more information.

We have worked to develop an engaging field trip for students that is not only aligned to the Pennsylvania State Standards, but also provides an opportunity for students to practice their critical thinking skills in a fun and welcoming environment.

Our field trips engage students with history through interaction with primary sources such as artifacts and buildings while providing real life connections to the past. Costumed docents lead age-appropriate guided tours of our 19th century Inn, blacksmith forge, cookhouse, and barn including a restored stagecoach and Contestoga Wagon. Through tours, students strengthen their visual literacy and critical thinking skills by careful observation of the historic environment. Students' experiences are enriched through multi sensory activities: cooking over an open fire, dipping candles creating a tin punch lantern, or smelling burning coal from our 19th century blacksmith forge. Several activity options include crafts students may take home with them.

For more information or to schedule your field trip today, contact Amanda Seim at 724-238-4983 or aseim@compassinn.org.

Do you love history and like talking to people? Do you enjoy working with kids? Become a volunteer at Ligonier Valley Historical Society's Compass Inn Museum. Compass Inn Museum is currently recruiting volunteers to help out with the 2019 season. Volunteer opportunities for the 2019 season include school tours, regular tours, and working in the gift shop.

For more information, contact Amanda Seim at 724-238-4983 or aseim@compassinn.org.