Compass Inn Museum to illuminate history during Christmas tours
LAUGHLINTOWN – Compass Inn Museum announced that the Christmas Candlelight Tours will begin Thanksgiving weekend and continue on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 15. The authentically restored 1799 stagecoach stop, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is beautifully decorated for Christmas with pine, holly and other natural accents. Three cheery wood fires, candlelight, hot mulled cider and cookies add spice to the informative and entertaining tour.
The building features three sections. They include the original 1799 log section built by Phillip Freeman; a stone section that was added onto the inn in 1820 to accommodate stagecoach travelers after completion of the Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Turnpike; and a third section construction in 1862.
Visitors can take a break from the bustle of holiday preparations and relax in the friendly atmosphere of a home that has observed 203 Christmas seasons.
The Christmas tours begin today with special evening hours from 5 to 8.
This will be the first night that reproduction cresset lamps (18th century streetlights) will be lit to enhance the entrance.
Families can coordinate a tour of the Inn with Santa’s arrival in Ligonier during “Light-Up Night” festivities, beginning at 6:30.
The tours continue on Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. with demonstrations in the cookhouse and blacksmith shop providing an added feature.
On Sunday, the Inn begins extended hours from 2 to 8 p.m. These ours provide an ideal way to entertain holiday weekend guests.
Compass Inn will be open from 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7-8, and Dec. 14-15.
The admission charge is $5 for adults and $2 for students through high school.
Children 5 and under are admitted free of charge.
Visitors are asked to allow one hour for the tour.
Walks-ins are welcome, however, reservations are requested for groups of 10 or more and required for groups of 20 or more.
Compass Inn is located along Route 30 in Laughlintown, which is three miles east of Ligonier in Westmoreland County.