Ligonier Valley Historical Society

EDUCATIONAL, HISTORY To discover, collect, preserve and disseminate any material which will help to establish or illustrate the exploration, settlement, development, and general history of the Ligonier Valley area. . . And to demonstrate a living history of life during the 18thand 19thcentury through the operation of the Compass Inn Museum for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Since 1964, when the Ligonier Valley Women's Club formed the Historical Society for the primary purpose of bringing together those people interested in history, and especially the history of the Ligonier Valley, it has been steeped in history and grounded in community. The Society's major function at that time, which remains true today, was to discover and collect any material and oral histories which help establish or illustrate the history of the area; its exploration, settlement, development and activities in peace time and in war time.

In 1966, the Ligonier Valley Historical Society accepted a gift from the Richard King Mellon Foundation of the Compass Inn, a former important stagecoach hostelry founded in 1799, with the intention of acquiring funds to restore and maintain the edifice and to eventually become a museum providing a walk into the past for thousands of visitors each year. In 1972, under the leadership of Mrs. Constance Mellon Burrell and Mrs. Louise "Corky" Barnhart, Compass Inn Museum opened to the public. Since then the site has expanded to include an authentically reconstructed cookhouse located on the original site, a barn which houses an 1830 stagecoach, a carpenter shop and a blacksmith shop. Compass Inn Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

As in 1972, period attired docents bring to life what it was like for the Armor family to work and live in the Inn. Robert Armor and his family operated the Inn from 1814 to 1862 (the heyday of the stagecoach trade in eastern United States). Combined with Living History weekends, where artisans and re-enactors demonstrate day-to-day living skills of the 1830's, the Society presents school field trips, motor coach tours and lectures covering people, places and events from the past to the present. Compass Inn Museum also offers Candlelight Tours where guests explore the Museum by the glow of candles and warm, flickering fires. As in the 18th and early 19th century, the spirit of the season is reflected in the simple but charming décor, traditions and hospitality of days gone by. At the end of the tour, viistors relax by a crackling fire and 18th century Christmas tree in the 1862 Room while sipping on a cup of hot mulled cider and enjoying a tasty treat.

Today, in addition to operating the Compass Inn Museum, the Ligonier Valley Historical Society maintains seven local abandoned historic cemeteries where veterans of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars are buried. It preserves Laurel Hill Iron Furnace located in New Florence dating back to 1848 and is also on the National Register of Historic Places. The Historical Society has established a records and document archive room which houses historic papers, photographs and other physical artifacts that record and demonstrate the Ligonier Valley's history and it has a small historical library and oral history collection in its Hall House headquarters building.

Testimonials

"Three generations of our family support LVHS because of the tremendous work it does in operating Compass Inn Museum as a cultural institution in our community. Our support also assist LVHS in keeping abandoned historic cemeteries accessible to the public and in storing and maintaining an extensive collection of artifacts and archives. All these are extremely important in preserving the rich and extensive history of the Ligonier Valley." Ellie and Sean Murphy

"We've always had a love of history and were immediately drawn to Compass Inn Museum when we first came to the area. Recently we began to do research into our family trees. This kind of research makes you eager to know as much about early history as you can discover. A writer once said that the "linking of generations. . . the historical lineage of family. . . the sharing of love. . . give purpose to life." Compass Inn Museum is a real treasure and LVHS serves an important role in preserving our history. We have made a commitment to LVHS because we believe so strongly in its mission." Theresa and Rick Schwab

We are members of the Historical Scoiety because, learning how our forefathers lived helps us appreciate what we enjoy today, and provides a guide for our future." Roxanne and Rich Flickinger

"As an avid collector of antiquities, I seek to find historical treasures. Compass Inn Museum is one of those "treasures" located in our backyard. Membership in and support of LVHS allows this treasure to make "history come a live" for young and old as they experience everyday life at the historic stagecoach inn." Mary Jo Culbertson