Ligonier Valley museums set date for free admission

The history and culture of eastern Westmoreland County will be on display at no charge Sunday as part of the annual Ligonier Valley Free Museum Day.

Visitors will be welcomed with free admission from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at six participating museums along the Route 30 and Route 711 corridors.

“If they visit four of the six, they can enter to win a $250 gift certificate to spend throughout the Ligonier Valley,” said Julie Donovan, director of marketing and public relations at Fort Ligonier, one of the participating sites.

Visitors can pick up a “passport” to be stamped at each location they tour.

Most museums will feature special activities and new exhibits.

The event is made possible through the support of the Jack Buncher Foundation and the Ligonier Valley Endowment.

Participating museums include:

• Antiochian Heritage Museum, at Antiochian Village, 140 Church Camp Trail, Fairfield Township. Features horse-drawn carriage rides 1-4 p.m., weather permitting, and exhibit “East Meets West in Ligonier.” Visitors can learn about the Orthodox Christian wedding ceremony know as “Crowning.”

• Compass Inn Museum, 1382 Route 30 East Laughlintown, Ligonier Township. The skills of past eras will be on display at this restored stagecoach stop, including the art of the blacksmith and 18th and 19th century cuisine prepared in an open hearth and beehive oven.

• Fort Ligonier, 200 S. Market St., Ligonier. Ligonier native and nationally acclaimed artist Chas Fagan’s new painting of a “friendly fire” encounter involving a young George Washington and colonial troops stationed at this 18th-century British outpost will be on display in the museum associated with the reconstructed French and Indian War fort.

• Ligonier Valley Rail Road Museum, 3032 Idlewild Hill Lane, Ligonier Township. Kids can enjoy a trackless train ride while the whole family can explore the restored circa 1896 Darlington Train Station and a 1905 Bobber Caboose.

• Lincoln Highway Experience, 3435 State Route 30 East, Unity Township. Transportation-themed museum’s new wing includes a restored tourist cabin and a 1938 diner, where visitors can conclude their tour with a slice of pie and a beverage. A Penny for Your Tots room appeals to preschoolers with a selection of pedal cars.

• Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley, One Boucher Lane and Route 711 South, Ligonier Township. The pastel works of artist Stan Sperlak will be on display. Young artists are invited to create their own pastel project.