Fort Ligonier

ABOUT

Fort Ligonier is the one of the best recreated forts in North America from the French and Indian War. Its mission is “to enrich the lives of today’s citizens and future generations through education and preservation by sharing the powerful stories of Fort Ligonier that changed world history.”

Open to visitors year-round, Fort Ligonier has so much to offer. The fortifications at Fort Ligonier are full scale reconstructions on the original site where it was first built in 1758. The fort sits on eight beautifully preserved acres in the heart of Ligonier, Pennsylvania, about fifty miles southeast of Pittsburgh.

The inner fort is 200 feet square, with four corner bastions, and accessed by three gates. Inside the walls are several buildings including an officer’s mess, barracks, quartermaster store, guard room, commissary, and officers’ quarters. Visitors can even make their way down into the original underground powder magazine. An outer entrenchment running 1,600 feet replete with chevaux-de-frise surrounds the fort.

Other buildings include a recreated hut used by British commander General John Forbes and a hospital that provides a glimpse of the important role women played at this frontier outpost. Fort Ligonier also has the largest collection of recreated 18th century artillery in North America.

Finally, the museum at Fort Ligonier is a must see. It contains several galleries including one devoted to George Washington and an art gallery with several original paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries.

HISTORY

When it was constructed, Fort Ligonier was the last in a string of fortifications along the newly cut Forbes Road that would stretch from Philadelphia to Fort Pitt, modern-day Pittsburgh.

The history of the reconstruction of Fort Ligonier dates to 1934 when the Daughters of the American Revolution first began preserving the land around the site. By 1947, the   first archaeological dig was conducted at the fort and researchers discovered 18th century maps that showed details of the original stockade. These efforts inspired the reconstruction work at Fort Ligonier that has been ongoing ever since.

To add flavor and flair to the visitor experience, since 1960 the staff has hosted Fort Ligonier Days, a fun multi-day program full of reenactors, firing cannons, and historical demonstrations. As you stroll the grounds, enjoy listening to bagpipe music, and chatting with costumed interpreters.

GRANT PROJECT

The Americana Corner Preserving America grant awarded to Fort Ligonier funded an audio tour option for its visitors. While Fort Ligonier has interpretive signage and offers docent guided tours, many who tour the site do so on their own. These self-guided tours will be greatly enhanced with an audio element that offers listeners greater detail about the fort’s many objects and buildings.

Additionally, without the benefit of audio, guests on self-guided tours may not get to hear the intriguing stories associated with individuals stationed at the fort in 1758 during the Forbes campaign. Importantly, the audio tour component, which visitors can access via a QR code and their cell phone, augments and compliments the new interpretive panels.

Americana Corner is proud to assist Fort Ligonier with its mission to preserve the Great American Story and to help our fellow citizens grow their love of country.