Compass Inn celebrates 30 years as museum
LIGONIER – Compass Inn, a restored 1799 stagecoach stop, will celebrate its 30th anniversary to be open as a museum with a living history weekend on Saturday and Sunday. Various 19th-century crafts and skills will be demonstrated and discussed such as the domestic chores of open-hearth cooking, spinning, weaving and bobbin lace making. Children can help dip candles and churn butter.
Visitors can also observe the professional skills of woodworking, blacksmithing and coopering. Gun making and the associated art of powder horn decorating will be demonstrated. These presentations provide authentic recreations of how things were done in the early 1800s. Crafts will vary each day.
In addition to the demonstrations, there will be an encampment of the 60th Royal American Regiment of Foot. The Royal Americans were a force composed of mostly non-English speaking men recruited in the Colonies and led by officers commissioned by the King of England.
Historical artist, Robert Adamovich of Uniontown, will portray a maker of maps of the colonial frontier to interpret historical events of the French and Indian War period and his latest work, a 1770s map of West Pennsylvania. Drawn by using the actual techniques and instruments of that time period, the artist has created an image that is based on historical research and interpretation, actual present day observation and reference materials as documented on the image itself. Limited edition prints of this map can be purchased, and Adamovich will be available to sign the prints between 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday.
These special activities will enhance the informative and entertaining tours of the original inn and reconstructed barn featuring the display and discussion of two historically important vehicles. To take full advantage of the tour, it is suggested that at least two hours be allotted for the visit.
Compass Inn is located in Laughlintown, three miles east of Ligonier on Route 30. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission charge is $5 for adults and $2 for students. Children under 6 are admitted free. For information, call 724-238-4983.