Revolutionary War reenactors to fire up Living History Weekend at Compass Inn

Proctor’s Militia, a local Revolutionary War reenactment group, is returning to Laughlintown’s Compass Inn Saturday and Sunday for the site’s final Living History Weekend of the summer.

Activities will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Scott Henry of Greensburg, captain of the unit, will demonstrate carving of a long rifle at the carpenter’s shop. Other woodworking skills will be on display, including bowl-carving.

Reenactors, who will be camped outside the historic inn, also will display their period gear. “It’s everything we would have carried in the 18th century as militia and rangers,” Henry said.

Visitors also will gain a perspective on the women who accompanied the militia and helped keep campsites in order.

The group will demonstrate firing of muskets and a reproduction of a King Howitzer cannon at 12:30 and 3 p.m. each day. Named after Daniel King of Pennsylvania, who manufactured the original model it’s based on, it’s intended to fire a projectile of up to 3 pounds.

“It’s a fairly small piece, designed to be broken down and carried on two horses, because of the poor road conditions at the time,” Henry said.

Though the restored Compass Inn stagecoach stop was founded in 1799, after the Revolutionary War, Henry noted that area of Ligonier Township would have been traversed by the historic Proctor’s Militia while engaging with Native American foes.

Formed in nearby Historic Hanna’s Town, site of the first English court west of the Allegheny Mountains, Proctor’s Militia served from 1775-95. It was named after John Proctor, Westmoreland County’s first sheriff.

Henry is among several of the reenactors who have a personal interest in portraying the 18th century militia unit. He’s traced his lineage back to one of the original Proctor’s members, Joahan Jakob Galitin.

“Our ancestors were actually on that ground that we walk today,” he said.

The weekend will offer activities for younger visitors, including sealing of letters with wax and creation of historic whirligig toys. “It’s all hands-on,” said Theresa Gay Rohall, executive director of the Ligonier Valley Historical Society, which operates Compass Inn. “We”ll also have writing with a quill and ink.”

Tours will be available of the inn and outbuildings. Visitors who have not received a covid-19 vaccine are asked to wear a face covering indoors, but it’s not mandated, Rohall said.

Regular admission fees apply: $12 for adults, $11 for those age 62 or older and $8 for ages 6-17. Admission is free for historical society members and for active members of the military.

Visit https://www.compassinn.org for more information.